Pecan Chocolate Banana Bread – A Sweet, Chocolatey Dream!

I can officially say this is my new favorite recipe out of everything I’ve ever made… and with over 500 recipes on my page, that’s saying a lot! This Pecan Chocolate Banana Bread is soft, moist, full of natural banana sweetness, and topped with the most irresistible candied pecans. It’s a little bit cozy, a little bit chocolatey, and a whole lot of YUM.

Whether you’re baking with your family or whipping this up for a weekend treat, this loaf is perfect. Let’s get into it!

Method

Candy the Pecans

To begin, you’ll want to make the delicious candied pecans that give this banana bread a festive crunch. In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Once the butter is fully melted, stir in 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. Mix everything together until it forms a smooth, sweet, and spiced glaze. Then, add the pecan pieces and stir to coat them well. Continue to cook the pecans for about 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently. Keep a close eye on them they can burn easily if left unattended. You’re looking for them to become crispy, shiny, and slightly caramelized. Once done, remove the saucepan from the heat and set the pecans aside to cool while you prepare the banana bread batter.

Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup of olive oil and 3/4 cup of brown sugar. Use a whisk or hand mixer to cream them together until the mixture looks smooth and slightly fluffy. This step helps to evenly distribute the sugar throughout the batter. Next, crack in the two eggs and add the three ripe bananas (make sure they’re well mashed beforehand super ripe bananas work best here for maximum sweetness and moisture). Mix everything until fully incorporated and smooth. Then, sift in 1/3 cup of cocoa powder directly into the bowl. Sifting is key it breaks up any lumps and ensures the cocoa blends evenly, giving the loaf its rich chocolate flavor.

In a separate medium-sized bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg. Slowly add this dry mixture into your wet ingredients in two to three batches, stirring gently each time. Be careful not to overmix at this stage overworking the batter can make the bread dense rather than soft and tender. Once the dry ingredients are just incorporated, fold in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips using a spatula. This gives your batter little bursts of chocolate in every slice.

Pour and Top

Grease a standard loaf pan with non-stick spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Pour the banana bread batter into the pan, using a spatula to smooth the top so it’s even. Now it’s time for the best part the toppings! Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips over the top of the batter, followed by the cooled candied pecans. Press the toppings down just a little so they settle slightly into the batter. This helps them stick to the loaf as it bakes and creates a beautifully crunchy, chocolatey top layer.

Bake

Place the loaf pan into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 50 to 55 minutes. Around the 50-minute mark, begin checking for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (but no raw batter), your banana bread is ready. If the top starts to brown too quickly but the inside isn’t done yet, you can loosely tent the loaf with foil and continue baking. Once fully baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool further before slicing this helps all the flavors settle and gives the loaf the perfect texture.

Necessary Tools

• Mixing bowls (2 – one for wet, one for dry)
• Whisk or hand mixer
• Spatula
• Loaf pan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Saucepan (for the pecans)
• Toothpick (for testing doneness)
• Oven mitts (because safety first!)

Pecan Chocolate Banana Bread – A Sweet, Chocolatey Dream!

Recipe by George MendesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

55

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

15

minutes

Ingredients

• For the Loaf

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• 3 ripe bananas (the mushier, the better!)

• 2 eggs

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips (save some for topping!)

• For the Candied Pecans

• 3/4 cup pecan pieces

• 1/4 cup butter

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions

• Candy the Pecans!
  Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until it’s all melty and smooth.
  Add the pecans and cook for about 4–6 minutes, stirring often. Watch them carefully they can burn easily! Once they’re crispy and glossy, remove from heat and let them cool.
• Make the Batter
  In a big bowl, mix together the olive oil and brown sugar until creamy. Add the eggs and mashed bananas, and stir until everything’s nice and smooth.
  In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet mix, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix!
  
• Pour and Top
  Grease your loaf pan and pour in the batter. Smooth the top.
  Now sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips and candied pecans on top. Gently press them into the batter so they stick while baking.
• Bake
  Pop it into the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 50–55 minutes.
  Use a toothpick in the center if it comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs), it’s ready!

Notes

• Make sure your bananas are super ripe they should have brown spots! This adds the best flavor and sweetness.
• Don’t skip sifting the cocoa powder it prevents clumps!
• Keep an eye on those pecans while candying. They go from perfect to burnt very quickly.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Too much stirring makes the loaf tough, not fluffy.
• Let the loaf cool a bit before slicing it helps everything set.

Serving Suggestions

• Slice and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Drizzle with peanut butter or chocolate sauce.
• Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or a glass of cold milk.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream for dessert vibes!

Fun Fact!

Did you know bananas are technically berries? And cocoa comes from beans that grow in giant pods on trees! So basically, this loaf is a magical forest treat.

Conclusion

This Pecan Chocolate Banana Bread is cozy, rich, and perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re baking for fun, for family, or just because you love chocolate and bananas (who doesn’t?), this recipe is sure to become your new favorite too.

If you try it, let me know how it turns out and don’t forget to snap a picture before it disappears!