Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

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Easy Banana Bread With Chocolate Chunks

The only thing better than a classic loaf of banana bread is moist banana bread with gooey chocolate chunks. Whether you're looking to use up those extra bananas sitting on your counter or simply craving a delicious homemade dessert, this chocolate chunk banana bread recipe is sure to hit the spot.

The combination of sweet bananas and gooey chunks of chocolate gives a perfect blend of sweetness and richness. If you’re in the mood for a sweet loaf with the perfect amount of decadence, look no further. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s the only banana bread recipe you need!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Our favorite thing about this super soft banana bread recipe is how simple and delicious it is. Here are a few more reasons why we can’t stop making this moist chocolate chunk banana bread:

• You can enjoy a slice for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even dessert!
• It's the perfect way to make good use of those over-ripe bananas on the counter.
• With a prep time of just 15 minutes, you can whip up the batter super fast!
• The chocolate and banana combination is a crowd-favorite.

Ingredients

All-purpose flour: We recommend using all-purpose flour for this recipe. It provides structure to the batter, helping it rise and hold its shape during baking. Extra fine whole wheat flour may work here too if desired.

Salt: Adding salt is key for just about any baked good. It enhances the flavors and creates a more flavorful banana bread.

Baking soda: In this recipe, baking soda acts as a leavener to make the bread rises properly. It is essential for achieving the right texture.

Butter: The butter adds flavor, moisture, and richness to this chocolate chunk banana bread, creating a soft and tender crumb. We like to use salted butter in this recipe but unsalted works as well.

Granulated sugar: The granulated white sugar sweetens the bread and enhances the natural sweetness of the bananas.

Brown sugar: The brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and contributes to the moist texture of the bread. It perfectly complements the banana flavor.

Eggs: The eggs act as a binder, giving the banana bread structure and helping it rise.

Overripe bananas: This is the key to a moist and flavorful banana bread. Super ripe bananas with black spots are ideal as they are sweeter and easier to mash. They will give you the best results when making this chocolate chunk banana bread.

Sour cream: Adding sour cream to the banana bread batter makes for a rich and moist banana bread. You can substitute plain greek yogurt if needed.

Pure vanilla extract: The vanilla extract enhances the flavors of the bread while contributing depth, richness, and warmth.

Chocolate chunks: We like to use semisweet chocolate chunks in this recipe. You can also try incorporating milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, or dark chocolate chunks to add a little variety!

How To Make This Recipe

prepare the ingredients

Before getting started on this chocolate chunk banana bread, bring the cold ingredients to room temperature. Using room temperature ingredients is best for a smooth and even bread batter. 

Melt the butter in the microwave and stir as needed to ensure it’s completely melted. Set it aside to cool slightly before use.

make the batter

In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk together these dry ingredients until fully combined, and set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, add the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Thoroughly mix the butter and sugars for 2-3 minutes to ensure the mixture is fully combined. We like to use our Kitchenaid stand mixer but any electric mixer works great.

Next, mix the mashed bananas into the batter, Then, beat in the eggs and egg yolk one at a time until fully incorporated.

Add the sour cream and the pure vanilla extract. Mix the wet ingredients thoroughly.

Once the wet ingredients are fully combined, use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to gently stir in the flour mixture. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

Finally, gently fold the chocolate chunks into the batter. Be careful not to overmix the batter to ensure the banana bread turns out soft and fluffy.

bake and serve

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease and flour a standard loaf pan (either a 9x5 or 8x4 pan works great). If desired, you can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or until the edges are a light golden brown. Check the bread for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. It should come out with moist crumbs but no liquid batter.

Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it from the pan to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once it has cooled completely, slice the loaf, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use room temperature ingredients. This can greatly affect the texture and consistency of your cake, as warmer ingredients blend more smoothly and evenly. This results in a smoother batter and ensures a more uniform bake.

Properly measure the flour. Flour gives cakes structure, but too much makes them dry and dense. To accurately measure flour without a scale, spoon the flour into a dry measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge.

Use extra ripe bananas. Using overripe bananas for banana bread is essential because they're sweeter, moister, and more flavorful. Their soft texture makes them blend easily into the batter, giving you a moist, tasty bread.

Thoroughly grease and flour the pan. Lightly grease the loaf pan with butter or shortening and then lightly flour it. This will prevent the bread from sticking to the pan, making it easier to remove once it's baked.

How To Store Leftovers

This chocolate chunk banana bread can be stored well-covered at room temperature for 3-5 days. It can also be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator if desired.

For longer storage, the bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the bread thaw to room temperature before serving.

More Banana Recipes

How to Ripen Bananas

You may be craving this chocolate chunk banana bread but only have under-ripe bananas on hand. Luckily, there are a few quick methods to speed up the ripening process and get those bananas perfect for baking.

The paper bag method is the simplest method but takes the longest. Place the bananas in a brown paper bag with an apple or another ripe banana. The ethylene gas they emit will speed up ripening, usually within 1-2 days.

The oven method is an even quicker option. Preheat your oven to 300°F. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the skins are black. Let them cool before using. This method brings out the bananas’ natural sweetness quickly.

With the microwave method, the bananas will be ripened in minutes. Pierce the banana peel a few times with a fork, then microwave on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Let them cool before using them in the banana bread.

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