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    Home / Breakfast / Brioche & Breads

    Double Chocolate Banana Bread

    Last update: Aug 12, 2024 Published: Apr 13, 2022 by Fadela This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 5 reviews

    In the banana bread series, I ask for the double chocolate banana bread with its extra moist and tasty texture that could easily dethrone the classic chocolate chip banana bread recipe.

    slices of chocolate banana bread on a table
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient You Need
    • How to Make Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Tips for this recipe
    • Storage Instructions
    • Variations & Substitutions
    • Recipe Questions
    • More Bread Recipes
    • Double chocolate banana bread

    This moist chocolate banana bread recipe is definitely my best banana bread recipe ever, especially for all banana and chocolate lovers.

    We already love so much the traditional banana bread recipe, even more when we add chocolate chips, but then this all-chocolate version is the best we could do in banana bread.

    This moist banana bread is just insanely good and irresistible, with its tender texture and that banana flavor with a rich chocolate flavor brought by natural cocoa powder and extra dark chocolate chips on top.

    This recipe is very easy and quick to make, just like my version of banana chocolate muffins, this cake is perfect for breakfast with a bit of peanut butter or almond butter, for snacking, and even for special occasions.

    Why you'll love this recipe


    • Decadently Moist and Chocolatey: This bread is packed with cocoa powder and chocolate chips, making it incredibly moist with a rich flavor rich perfect for chocolate cravings.
    • Easy and Homemade: The recipe is straightforward and made from scratch, allowing you to enjoy the best homemade banana bread without much effort.
    • Perfect for Any Time: Whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, the combination of ripe bananas and chocolate creates a deliciously tender loaf that’s ideal for any time of day.

    Craving for more banana recipes? Give these a try: Chocolate banana muffins, Healthy banana oatmeal muffins, Banana bread muffins, Banana bread cookies

    Ingredient You Need

    You need these ingredients to make this cocoa banana bread recipe:

    • Banana: Use the right amount of bananas, preferably brown bananas, or if your bananas are not ripe enough then put them in the microwave or oven for a few moments to soften them a bit.
    • Butter: Use unsalted butter that has been softened at room temperature or melted butter and cooled down a bit.
    • Sugar: I only use granulated sugar in this recipe but you can make a mixture of white and brown sugar or light brown sugar.
    • Eggs: At room temperature
    • Buttermilk: The acidity of the buttermilk brings an ultra-soft texture to the cake, you can replace it with milk, greek yogurt, or sour cream.
    • Flour: Wheat all-purpose flour or for a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour like almond flour or oat flour.
    • Cocoa powder: Use regular unsweetened cocoa powder or if you have it, dutch process cocoa powder.
    • Raising agents: A combination of baking powder and baking soda, you can just use baking powder.
    • Vanilla extract and Salt: Indispensable to enhance all the flavors.
    • Chocolate chips: Use mini chocolate chips or chocolate chunks from a dark chocolate bar.
    On slice of chocolate banana bread

    How to Make Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

    Here are some quick visual instructions. Don't forget that full recipe instructions with exact ingredients can be found in the recipe card below!

    Step 1: Place the chopped ripe bananas in a medium bowl. Using a potato masher or a fork, crush the bananas until you obtain a banana puree with a few pieces left.

    medium bowl with mashed banana

    Step 2: Then place the softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and mix with an electric mixer at medium speed for about 3 minutes to obtain a smooth mixture.

    Step 3: Then add the eggs and vanilla and beat again for 1 minute to incorporate them.

    Large bowl with butter and sugar
    Bowl with creamy butter and eggs

    Step 4: Add the mashed bananas and the buttermilk to the mixture and incorporate them with the mixer.

    Step 5: Finish by adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, flour, cocoa powder baking powder baking soda, and salt. Mix this time with a spatula until the mixture is smooth.

    Large bowl with cake batter and mashed bananas
    Large bowl with dry ingredients

    Step 6: Then add half the chocolate chips to the batter and mix gently with a rubber spatula to incorporate them.

    Large bowl with chocolate banana bread batter and chocolate chips
    Large bowl with banana bread batter

    Step 7: Preheat oven to 350 F / 180°C and prepare a 10-inch loaf pan (25 cm) with parchment paper or grease with butter for easy unmoulding.

    Step 8: Then pour batter into prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top of the cake. Bake the chocolate banana bread in the oven for about 50 - 60 minutes until puffed up on top.

    Let cool: Let the chocolate banana bread cool completely in the pan before removing from the pan and placing on a cooling rack or in a serving plate.

    Enjoy! Cut the chocolate cake into slices and serve slightly warm or cold.

    loaf pan with chocolate banana bread
    loaf pan with baked chocolate banana bread

    Serving Suggestions

    • Warm with Butter: Enjoy a warm slice with a pat of butter for a simple, delicious treat.
    • With Whipped Cream: Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of chocolate shavings for an indulgent dessert.
    • Ice Cream: Serve a toasted slice with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a decadent combination.
    • Fresh Berries: Pair with fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries to add a refreshing contrast.
    • Nut Butter: Spread almond, peanut, or hazelnut butter on a slice for added protein and richness.
    • Yogurt and Honey: Top with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey for a tangy and sweet breakfast option.
    • Maple Syrup: Drizzle with warm maple syrup for an extra touch of sweetness.
    Slice of chocolate banana bread

    Tips for this recipe

    • Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with brown spots.
    • High-Quality Cocoa Powder: Use high-quality cocoa powder to ensure a rich chocolate flavor.
    • Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and butter helps the ingredients combine more easily and evenly.
    • Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to keep the bread tender and prevent it from becoming dense.
    • Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done. Avoid overbaking to keep it moist.
    • Buttermilk Addition: Use buttermilk instead of regular milk to add tanginess and extra moisture to your bread.
    • Cool Completely: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps it set and makes slicing easier.

    Storage Instructions

    At room temperature: This chocolate banana bread is very moist, it can be stored up to 3 - 4 days at room temperature in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out and to keep its soft texture.

    But the best thing to do since it contains a lot of bananas is to keep it cold in a refrigerator covered with plastic wrap and you can keep it even longer, up to 1 week.

    How to freeze? Store your banana bread in the freezer for up to 3 months, cut it into pieces and place them in plastic storage bags or a storage box.

    All you have to do is take out your banana bread slices and let them slowly come to room temperature.

    Variations & Substitutions

    • Nutty Delight: Fold in chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added crunch and flavor like this Banana walnut bread.
    • Peanut Butter Swirl: Add dollops of peanut butter to the batter and swirl it in for a delicious peanut butter-chocolate combination.
    • Zucchini Chocolate: Grate a cup of zucchini and mix it into the batter for added moisture and a sneaky way to include vegetables.
    • Orange Zest: Add the zest of an orange to the batter for a citrusy aroma and flavor that complements the chocolate.
    • Dried Fruit: Incorporate dried fruits such as cherries, cranberries, or raisins for added sweetness and texture.
    • Streusel bread: add a streusel mixture like in this Pumpkin bread with streusel topping.
    • Gluten-free: Replace the flour with a gluten-free flour blend like rice flour for a gluten-free chocolate banana bread version or an almond flour banana bread, I've already tested it and you'll still have its moist texture.
    • Add frosting: A layer of cream cheese frosting flavored with cinnamon ground, brown sugar or maple syrup for a double dose of pleasure.
    • Add banana on top: Add an extra banana to the top of the bread for decoration.

    Recipe Questions

    How do I keep my banana bread moist?
    To keep your double chocolate banana bread moist, use very ripe bananas and avoid overmixing the batter. Adding ingredients like yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk can also help retain moisture.

    Can I add nuts to the recipe?
    Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds make great additions for extra crunch and flavor. Simply fold them into the batter before baking.

    Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
    Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum for better texture.

    Can I use frozen bananas?
    Yes, frozen bananas work well. Thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before mashing them into the batter.

    How can I enhance the chocolate flavor?
    To intensify the chocolate flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the batter. This won't make the bread taste like coffee, but it will enhance the chocolate notes.

    More Bread Recipes

    • Lemon pound cake recipe
      Iced Lemon Loaf Cake
    • Carrot Bread with cream cheese topping
    • Lemon Poppy Seed Pound Cake
    • Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    Sliced chocolate banana bread

    I hope you love this chocolate banana cake recipe. If you make it, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Happy Baking!

    Print
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    Double chocolate banana bread


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Fadela
    • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
    • Yield: 12 slices
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    Super soft and moist double chocolate banana bread recipe with chocolate chips and cocoa powder (for a 10 inch loaf pan (25 cm))


    Ingredients

    • 115 g (1 stick) Butter unsalted and softened
    • 120 g (⅔ cup) Sugar - granulated or brown sugar
    • 2 eggs at room temperature
    • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
    • 3 Bananas - ripe about 360g 
    • 120 g (½ cup) Buttermilk - or milk, sour cream, greek yogurt
    • 180 g (1 ½ cups) Flour - all purpose
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • ½ tsp Baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • 40 g (½ cup) Cocoa powder - unsweetened
    • 140 g (¾ cup) Chocolate chips - semi-sweet

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C and line a 10-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with butter for easy removal from the pan.
    2. Place the chopped ripe bananas in a bowl and crush them with a fork until they are mashed.
    3. In a large bowl, place the softened butter with the sugar and mix with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth.
    4. Add the eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk and mix again to incorporate.
    5. Then add the dry ingredients, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and ¾ of the chocolate chips
    6. Gently mix with a spatula until you have a smooth and homogeneous batter.
    7. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan lined with parchment paper.
    8. Pour the remaining chocolate chips on top of the bread.
    9. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes.
    10. After 50 minutes check the cooking with a toothpick inserted into the center until it comes out clean.
    11. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing it from the pan and cutting it into slices.

    Equipment

    Hand mixer

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    Loaf pan

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    Notes

    Storage: 5 days at room temperature, 1 week in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer

    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 55 minutes
    • Category: muffins, cake, breakfast
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 275
    • Sugar: 20.8 g
    • Sodium: 174.9 mg
    • Fat: 12.9 g
    • Carbohydrates: 38.7 g
    • Protein: 4.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 52.7 mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. LadyMilonguera

      April 13, 2022 at 9:55 pm

      I’d gladly take a slice...

      Reply
    2. Megane

      May 04, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      This chocolate banana cake is absolutely amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing this fantastic recipe. I can't wait for tomorrow morning to enjoy a slice for breakfast!

      Reply
    3. Perrine

      January 28, 2024 at 8:37 pm

      Very airy, a delight! I didn't mash the bananas but instead sautéed them in 1 cm slices with a bit of butter, let them cool, and then folded them into the batter.

      Reply
    4. Isabel

      April 02, 2024 at 11:16 pm

      Great cake!... Once again! Thanks for these awesome ideas. Just one small thing, I didn't see in the recipe instructions where to add the mashed banana... I ended up adding it at the end with the dry ingredients and mixed well... the result is fantastic! I also added, because I love them, some crushed pistachios along with the last bits of chocolate chips...

      Reply
    5. Mikayla

      March 09, 2025 at 7:47 pm

      So good! I baked mine in a 9×9 ceramic dish and it came out amazing!
      I only wish I used brown sugar instead of granulated for that deeper flavor.

      Reply

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