Chocolate Banana Bread with Chocolate Frosting
If you’ve ever dreamed of making an uber-rich, luscious, and velvety double chocolate banana bread, then this recipe is a must-try.
This recipe with chocolate chips is easy to make, creates a rich and moist crumb, and is loaded with sweet and chocolatey flavors. And I’ve even included a gluten-free option too!
If you love this chocolate-packed banana bread recipe, check out my Molten Chocolate Lava Cookies or Hot Cocoa Cookies, too.
What You Need To Make Chocolate Banana Bread with Chocolate Frosting
Banana Bread:
- All-purpose flour
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Baking powder
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Packed brown sugar
- Eggs
- Bananas
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Frosting:
- Heavy cream
- Packed brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
- Vanilla extract
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
How To Make Chocolate Banana Bread with Chocolate Frosting
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda, and baking powder.
2. Mix the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a different bowl until creamy. Add the eggs and mashed bananas, blending them thoroughly.
3. Merge the wet mixture with the dry ingredients. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Transfer the mixture to your greased loaf pan. Bake it for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out without wet batter.
5. For frosting, heat cream and sugar. Add butter and vanilla. Off heat, add chocolate chips, whisk until smooth, then let it cool for 10 minutes.
6. Cool bread, drizzle frosting, and serve.
Optional Add-Ins For Your Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
One thing I love about my double chocolate banana bread recipe is that it is extremely versatile. There are a ton of delicious add-ins you can use to make this banana bread recipe your own.
1. Chocolate Chips
I used semi-sweet chocolate chips for my double chocolate banana bread; however, feel free to use dark chocolate chips instead.
You can even use peanut butter chips, like chocolate chips, made from peanut butter.
2. Nuts
I also LOVE adding a variety of chopped toasted nuts into my banana bread batter. You can also only add them as garnish if you’d like.
Walnuts, pecan nuts, almonds, and pine nuts work best and pair well with the banana flavor.
3. Peanut Butter
You can add swirls of softened peanut butter to your banana bread batter.
I prefer using the smooth kind and warming it in the microwave a little before swirling it into the batter. This adds a deliciously rich and creamy mouthfeel to each bite.
4. Dried Fruit
Many people love adding dried fruit to their double chocolate banana bread. I prefer cranberries or apricots. They pair well with the banana bread and chocolate flavor.
You can experiment here and get creative.
Best Way To Serve Your Homemade Chocolate Banana Bread
This recipe is already loaded with flavor and an uber-moist. That’s exactly why serving it with no accompaniments is unnecessary.
At the most, I would add a smear of unsalted butter. You can also use salted butter, but it sometimes becomes too salty for me.
Many people also love adding a sprinkle of sea salt flakes. And, if you want to get creative, you can incorporate some sour cream into the frosting for a tangier flavor profile.
A more traditional accompaniment is vanilla ice cream. But again, this double chocolate banana bread doesn’t need anything to shine!
How To Store Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
There are many methods you can use, but I prefer this one at room temperature.
Leave the freshly baked chocolate banana bread to cool completely at room temperature. Then, wrap the banana bread loaf in a clean paper towel. Place the load inside an airtight container. Add the lid and store it at room temperature for 3-4 days.
If you want to store the banana bread loaf in the fridge, the method stays the same, but you should wrap the banana bread loaf in plastic wrap instead.
It will last between 5-7 days. Keep in mind that the banana bread will likely lose some of its moisture.
Expert Tips & Tricks For Baking The Best Banana Bread
- Always use room-temperature ingredients to ensure the chocolate banana bread batter doesn’t come out lumpy or evenly mixed.
- You have to use a metal 9×5-inch prepared loaf pan. You can line it with baking paper or parchment paper. If you use a glass or ceramic loaf pan with weak heat conductors, the it will take very long to bake. Also, using a different-sized loaf pan will affect the time the chocolate banana bread takes to bake and how it bakes. It may come out drier than it should.
- Use a toothpick or cake testing needle to test the doneness. When inserted into the center of the banana bread, it has to come out clean. If the needle comes out with a few moist crumbs. Remember, it’s supposed to be a moist banana bread.
FAQs
Chocolate banana bread may turn out dry if ripe bananas aren’t used, as they contribute essential moisture. Issues with the loaf pan, baking temperature, or baking time, and inaccurate ingredient measurements could also be contributing factors. Ensure the use of ripe bananas, proper baking tools, and accurate measurements for optimal results.
Chocolate banana bread may collapse if your oven isn’t adequately preheated, hindering the quick setting of the batter’s outside as it rises. Without sufficient support, the batter may collapse due to the weight before it fully sets.
Gummy or rubbery banana bread is caused by over-mixing your banana bread batter. You must mix all of the ingredients until they are just combined. When you agitate the banana bread batter too much, it loses all the air you’ve incorporated, creating a dense batter.
To freeze double banana bread, wrap it first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil for added freezer protection. Place it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months; for optimal results, freeze without frosting.
Chocolate Banana Bread with Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 small to medium bananas peeled and mashed
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Frosting:
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the mashed bananas, until well combined.
- Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan.
Making The Frosting
- In a medium saucepan, heat the heavy cream and brown sugar over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble slightly. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until melted. Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips, whisking until smooth and glossy. Allow the frosting to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the pan and drizzle the frosting over the top. Let the frosting set slightly before slicing and serving.