Banana bread never goes out of style. However, eating the same version of banana bread all the time can get boring. This recipe gives classic banana bread a boost because it uses chocolate chips. Leave the bread as is or ice it with chocolate frosting to make it even more decadent.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
Adapted from Allrecipes.com
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Chocolate frosting, optional
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a large bowl. Whisk the dry ingredients together gently. Add the bananas to a medium bowl and mash well with a fork or potato masher.
In a third bowl, add the butter and granulated sugar. Beat together until the ingredients are light and fluffy. After the butter and sugar are well mixed, add the eggs one at a time, beating until smooth. Stir the mashed bananas into the butter mixture using a wooden spoon and then stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the chocolate chips using a firm rubber spatula.
Transfer the cake batter to the prepared loaf pan and then place in the center of the oven. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for about 30 minutes. Loosen the edges of the bread with a dull knife and turn it over directly on the wire rack. Place it right side up and let it cool all the way through directly on the rack. Serve immediately or wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just before serving, ice the cake with the chocolate frosting, if desired.
Variations:
Nutty Chocolate Banana Bread. Prepare the recipe as listed above. Omit the 1 cup of chocolate chips and use ½ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips instead. Add ½ cup of coarsely chopped walnuts, pecan, or hazelnuts. Pour into the pan and bake as usual.
Cranberry Walnut Banana Bread. Prepare the recipe listed above. Omit the chocolate chips and use ½ cup dried cranberries and ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts instead.
White Chocolate Banana Bread. Prepare the recipe listed above. Substitute the semisweet chocolate chips for 1 cup of white chocolate chips. Bake the banana bread as usual. Let the banana bread cool and then frost it with vanilla icing just before serving, if desired.