Chocolate Banana Bread – A Sweet & Minty Treat!

If you love chocolate and banana together, you’re in for a treat! This Chocolate Banana Bread is soft, rich, and packed with flavor. The best part? It has a fun holiday twist with peppermint! Think of a peppermint brownie but lighter and healthier thanks to olive oil and banana as the base. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, so let’s dive right in!

Method

Mash & Mix

Start by peeling your overripe bananas and placing them in a large mixing bowl. Using a fork or a potato masher, mash them until they form a smooth, lump-free mixture. The more mashed they are, the better they will incorporate into the batter. Next, pour in the olive oil and add the brown sugar. Stir everything together until well combined. The oil will give the bread a moist texture, while the brown sugar enhances the deep caramel-like sweetness that complements the chocolate flavor.

Incorporate Eggs & Cocoa

Once your banana mixture is smooth, crack in the eggs one at a time. Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend them in, making sure everything is fully combined before moving to the next step. To ensure the cocoa powder integrates smoothly into the batter without forming clumps, sift it directly into the wet mixture. Sifting aerates the cocoa and helps distribute it evenly throughout the batter. Stir everything together until the cocoa powder is fully absorbed, giving the batter a deep, rich chocolatey color.

Prepare Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. This step ensures that the leavening agent (baking soda) is evenly distributed throughout the flour, helping the bread rise uniformly. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as doing so can lead to dense, tough banana bread. Stir until just combined, ensuring there are no dry pockets of flour remaining.

Add Chocolate Chunks

Now it’s time for the chocolate! Take 3/4 cup of dark chocolate chunks and fold them gently into the batter. This will ensure that every bite has delicious, melty chocolate goodness. Be sure to mix lightly to avoid overworking the batter, which could impact the final texture of the bread.

Pour & Top

Prepare your loaf pan by greasing it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Once the batter is settled, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chunks over the top, followed by the crushed candy canes. The candy canes will give the bread a slight crunch and a refreshing peppermint flavor, making it even more special.

Bake

Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 50-60 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is ready. If there’s still wet batter on the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes and test again. Once done, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Necessary Tools

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk or hand mixer
• Sifter
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Loaf pan
• Parchment paper or non-stick spray
• Toothpick (for testing doneness)

Chocolate Banana Bread – A Sweet & Minty Treat!

Recipe by George MendesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

1

hour 

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 3 overripe bananas

• 2 eggs

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1 1/4 cups flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 cup dark chocolate chunks

• 2 candy canes, crushed

Directions

• Mash & Mix: In a large bowl, mash the bananas well. Add olive oil and brown sugar, mixing until smooth.
• Incorporate Eggs & Cocoa: Crack in the eggs and whisk well. Then, sift the cocoa powder directly into the wet ingredients to ensure there are no lumps.
• Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Slowly add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently.
• Add Chocolate Chunks: Fold in 3/4 cup of the dark chocolate chunks, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
• Pour & Top: Grease a loaf pan and pour the batter in. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chunks and crushed candy canes on top.
• Bake: Place in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 50-60 minutes. Use a toothpick to check for doneness if it comes out clean, it’s ready!

Notes

• Banana Ripeness: Make sure your bananas are super ripe! The more brown spots, the better.
• Sifting Cocoa Powder: Don’t skip this step! It helps avoid dry clumps in your batter.
• Baking Time: Every oven is different, so start checking around the 50-minute mark. Overbaking can make the bread dry.
• Mixing: Don’t overmix the batter after adding flour; it can make the bread dense instead of fluffy.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy a warm slice with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee.
• Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.
• Spread some almond or peanut butter on top for added creaminess.
• Serve with fresh berries for a refreshing contrast.

Fun Fact

Did you know that bananas naturally enhance the sweetness of baked goods? That means we can use less sugar while still getting that deliciously sweet flavor! Plus, bananas help keep the bread super moist without needing extra butter or oil.

Conclusion

This Chocolate Banana Bread is the perfect mix of rich chocolate, sweet banana, and a refreshing peppermint kick. It’s a great holiday-inspired treat but also works any time of year when you want something cozy and delicious. Try it out, and I promise you’ll be making it again and again!