I love this banana bread, it’s richly chocolatey and studded with walnuts. It’s also a very easy one bowl baking project, and who doesn’t love banana bread?!
It’s essential the bananas you use are really ripe. Best if the skin is completely black. That said it will still work if they’re less ripe than that it just won’t be as sweet. If this is the case add an extra Tbs or two of maple syrup or honey as they’ll add the missing liquid and sweetness.
This is so lovely sliced with raspberry jam, just by itself or with a little butter it nut butter. Do try to be patient and wait at least 1/2 an hou, or ideally until room temperature, before slicing. The delicate crumb created by the high cocoa powder content will make it crumble otherwise! And don’t worry, the chocolate it is studded with will still be gooey and melted.
If you’re after a gluten free recipe for banana bread click here. To make it double chocolate just replace 1/2 the gf oats with cocoa powder. If Coeliac use gf flour instead of oats! Obviously you’d have to add the chocolate bits too.
Ingredients
1 egg
3 bananas, very ripe
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
1.5 cups plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch Salt
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup dark chocolate bits
2 Tbs extra walnuts for the top
Directions
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line a load tim with baking paper, allow some overhang so you can easily lift the loaf out at the end of baking.
Mash the bananas and then stir in sugar, vanilla and egg, once combined add the oil and milk and mix until combined.
Sieve the dry ingredients directly into the banana mix. Fold in until just combined.
Add the walnuts and chocolate and fold in gently.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf tin. Sprinkle the nuts over the top. Bake for 45 minutes – 1 hr or until a skewer comes out clean.
Remove from the tin and cool on a wire rack, try to wait until it’s at room temperature until you cut it! This will make it easier to slice. But if you have to cut a slice off and taste it I totally understand!
HH. x