Recipes » Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

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This Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread is perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or it makes the perfect accompaniment to a cup of soup for dinner.

Two slices of dark chocolate banana bread on a plate with coffee

When you’re looking for something that’s just a little sweet this Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread fits the bill. The deep chocolate richness and the sweet banana flavors definitely shine through.

top view of a loaf of dark chocolate bread

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What is “Quick Bread”

I love making quick breads. When I say quick bread I mean bread that doesn’t use yeast or needs time to rise before baking.

Quick bread usually has a soft moist interior but a denser crumb than what is usually found in a cake. 

Quick bread is easy to make and there are so many varieties so there is at least one that works with whatever you’re going for.

They don’t have to be sweet either. 

3 slices on dark chocolate banana bread on a wooden cutting board

Back to the bread! Some flavors just go together. Depending on where you are from may determine what combinations appeal to you. Elvis Presley liked fried peanut butter banana bacon sandwiches. That isn’t high on my list. This Dark Chocolate Banana Bread is though. I don’t know if it’s because I could put chocolate on anything, but this bread is delicious!

View of top of two slices of chocolate banana bread

You don’t have to use dark chocolate to make this bread but in my opinion, it adds a rich chocolate flavor without being too sweet.

Serving suggestions

When I make a savory or spicy dish I like to pair it with a sweeter one. Here are some great recipes to serve with this decadent banana bread.

Bite of chocolate banana bread on a fork
Don’t have time to make it now? Pin it for later!

This bread is tender and delicious and if you keep it covered in an airtight container, it will retain its soft texture and flavor for up to a week. It also freezes really well. Just wrap it in plastic and then foil.

Items we used to make this chocolate bread recipe

  • Loaf pan – I find that both halves of the squash will usually fit in a loaf pan. I like that these pans are a little bit bigger. I use them for meatloaf and bread recipes too!
  • Cooling rack – I love these large racks. I can get an entire batch of cookies on one and they’re tough enough to hold large loaves of bread. It fits into my half-sheet pan for baking bacon too!

We LOVE baking bread! You can find all of our bread recipes here!

If you like this recipe here are a few more you may enjoy

I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.

Two slices of chocolate banana bread showing melted chocolate chips in the crumb on a floral plate over a blue napkin. A cup of espresso sits behind it with a pad of butter in a small white dish with a knife next to it.

Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread

Author: Julie Menghini
This Decadent Dark Chocolate Banana Bread is perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee or it makes the perfect accompaniment to a cup of soup for dinner.
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword: Chocolate Banana Bread
Servings: 16 (1 loaf)

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1.75 cup all-purpose flour I used unbleached
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder can substitute any cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp espresso powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt I used kosher
  • 1 cup bananas mashed (2 bananas)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk see notes
  • 1 cup chocolate chips you can add any variety. I used dark.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 °F. Spray or grease 1 loaf pan with the non-stick method of your choice.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer combine mashed bananas, buttermilk, sugar, salt, vanilla, and espresso powder.  Blend together until smooth.  Add eggs one at a time and mix until completely blended.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, sift flours, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa together.
  • Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Mix until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chips and mix just until combined.
  • Pour into the prepared bread pan. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Remove from pan and allow to cool on a cooling rack for 5 minutes and then remove muffins from pan to prevent continued cooking.

Notes

To make your own buttermilk you can add vinegar or lemon juice to milk.  To make 1/2 cup buttermilk combine 1/2 cup of milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.  Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes and then add to your recipe.
*I like to add salt to the liquid ingredients.  It blends and you are less likely to get a salty bite in your finished baked goods.

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 139mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 1.3mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1.3mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

What is your favorite quick bread? Please share in the comments below. You give me inspiration!

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An image for pinterest of slices of dark chocolate banana bread dotted with chocolate chips and the whole loaf

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5 from 13 votes

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36 Comments

  1. I think banana bread is my spirit animal but this chocolate banana bread really makes my heart swoon!

  2. I’m all about this chocolate banana bread. I mean, it has fruit in it, so it is practically breakfast – right?

  3. I think chocolate in anything is a great idea and the texture on this looks amazing. I have a bunch of bananas sitting here and its a cold California morning so its a perfect morning to make this to warm up my kitchen!

    1. Thank you, Michele! I made this recipe again this morning and doubled it. One loaf and 18 muffins later and my freezer is holiday ready.

  4. That looks absolutely fudgy and delicious!! I have some sad looking bananas on my counter that can’t wait to become this awesome bread!

  5. Dark chocolate with dark chocolate chips to? I think you were thinking of ME when you made this banana bread. All my favorite flavors are in this bread. Making mini loafs so I can share the goodness 🙂

    1. Thank you, Sandra! I’ve made this one several times and even loading up the freezer when I have a snack attack!

  6. I love the combination of chocolate and banana. This bread looks so decadent and delicious. I got all my ingredients ready to make it tomorrow!

  7. Chocolate banana bread – I like this idea! I don’t like chips in regular banana bread but adding them here and using cocoa powder and espresso has to make this recipe over the top. I’m assuming you stir in the chips prior to baking 🙂

    1. I have another batch of bananas just begging to be made into this recipe! Thank you for the heads up on the recipe. It’s updated. I’d hate missing an opportunity for more chocolate! You’ll have to let me know if you make it and how you like it.

      1. I have 4 bananas – 2 for banana blueberry muffins and 2 for your cake. Plan to make both soon and will let you know…

        1. Yay! Let me know what you think Judi! You can also make them into muffins. It makes about 18 so I could put them in the freezer instead of trying to eat the whole loaf myself.

  8. Great minds Julie…… I made a chocolate banana loaf too with miniature choc chips when all the gang were here last week. I too love breads, if I do happen to make one when it’s just the 2 of us, I usually freeze half. Yours definitely looks decadent and moreish. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Loretta! We are great minds Loretta and I definitely need to start freezing half before I grow out of my fat pants LOL!

  9. The rich deep chocolate in this banana (literally) takes my breath away. How lucky your family is, to be able to dive into this luscious treat!

    1. Thank you, Dan! Our family is why we do this right? This bread was definitely a win and I may never eat regular banana bread again LOL!

  10. You had me at Dark Chocolate! This bread looks more like a cake then a breakfast bread… but the banana’s make it healthy right?

    1. I love the way you think, Jenn! I loved it for all three meals of the day and am anxiously waiting for my bananas to ripen for another loaf. It’s so good. Thanks for stopping by!