I had two recipe fails this past week–so frustrating! So I thought I’d make something a little more easy and familiar–like banana bread. I’ve made lots of different kinds of banana bread, but never a chocolate one.
I decided to try making a dark chocolate banana bread. I used a good amount of unsweetened cocoa powder in the batter, plus added some chopped-up dark chocolate chips so there would be even more dark chocolate flavor. I thought it turned out really good–very chocolatey and moist! A quite decadent banana bread. And even if you don’t like banana bread, you should still try this, because you taste the rich dark chocolate more than anything else! The bananas do their part by making the bread wonderfully moist, with a little help from some Greek yogurt. Nuts are optional. This is great for breakfast if you’re a chocolate-lover and it also makes a nice simple snack or dessert!
DOUBLE DARK CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD by Nancy Creative
Makes one 9 x 5″ loaf
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 3 to 3 1/2, depending on size)
- 1/4 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (6 ounces) dark chocolate chips, coarsely chopped (keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to chop them; they’ll be easier to chop with your food chopper)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, optional
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Grease and flour a 9 x 5″ loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar. Add eggs, blending well, then add vanilla extract, mashed bananas, and Greek yogurt, and blend everything well.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; add to the butter/sugar/banana mixture and mix just until combined. Fold in coarsely chopped dark chocolate chips and nuts, if using, stirring until these are evenly incorporated in batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake at 350˚F for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center of loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool about 10 minutes more on wire rack. You can serve this warm (great with a scoop of ice cream!) or wait till it’s completely cooled.
Are you a big fan of chocolate like I am? I’d have to say dark chocolate is my favorite–what’s yours?
Linked to Nifty Thrifty Sunday. The Creative Collection, Inspire Me Monday, Inspiration Monday, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Full Plate Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things.
So sorry about the recipe fails! I know how that is…not fun at all! Ugh! Wow! Dark Chocolate banana bread !! Send a piece my way? Sounds like this recipe came out perfectly!
Yes, much to my relief this recipe turned out great! Wish we could share slices of our baked goods thru our computer screens somehow! 🙂
That would be so wonderful! 😀
Oh good! I thought that I was the only one in bloggerville who had recipes that bombed! LOL. I know how disappointing and frustrating it is to have recipes that don’t work out. I just recently complaining about that very thing to my husband–he didn’t get the whole concept of being bummed about a failed recipe. Men.
Your chocolate banana bread sounds so delicious. Double chocolate, mmmmmm. I especially liked that you put chopped dark chocolate chips in it. I can almost smell that bread just by looking at it.
I’ve definitely had my share of recipe fails, Terri, so you are not alone! 🙂
I make bananas bread a lot so this will be a great variation x
We love the banana breads here! And double choclate with choco hips inside is quite a delight :).
Yes, it sure is! 🙂
Delicious, Nancy…It appears you found success after a couple of flops:)
Yes, thank goodness! I was getting ready to throw in the baking towel! 🙂
Delicious!!!
I’m sorry to hear about your recipe flubs, Nancy. But what a way to bounce back with this chocolate banana bread!
Thanks Patty! Yes, I’m glad this banana bread turned out–I figured I couldn’t mess up banana bread too badly! 🙂
Haha, knock on wood, Nancy! You never know! Watch me mess up my next batch. I’ll have to blog and tell you all about it. 😉
Ooh, banana bread is always so fantastic – love the thought of making into something decadent and brimming with dark chocolate flavor!
I love banana bread… and I love chocolate. Put them together, and I’m a happy girl!! This sounds so lovely.. A perfect treat to make up for those fails!! They are frustrating, but sometimes it takes a couple of fails to come up with the best recipe ever! 🙂 Awesome post!
Yum! I always make banana bread but adding chocolate…perfection! I must try this!
-Shelley
Hope you like it, Shelley! 🙂
Oh this looks so good! I have pinned it. It would be great with coffee in the morning, or with a glass of wine in the evening. Yum!
Yes, it’s great for morning or evening! 🙂
I’ve never tried banana bread before but I definitely will 🙂
Hope you like it, Sarah! 🙂
bananas and chocolate…I’m in heaven…so trying this. THanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Karen–hope you like it! 🙂
We make lots of banana bread in this house. I’m betting this one would be a hit! Can’t go wrong with chocolate and bananas.
You’re right about that! Hope you enjoy the bread! 🙂
What a fantastic combination for this bread, chocolate and banana a real winner! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great weekend and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
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Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much, Miz Helen! 🙂 I will be grabbing a button soon! 🙂