Like most things in life, banana bread can be improved with chocolate. I have a basic banana bread recipe already and thought to myself, how can I make this more awesome? Add chocolate of course! So I did, and below you’ll find what I came up with.

This recipe makes 1 loaf because like most folks, I only have one loaf pan. Plus it gives a little portion control, albeit a whole loaf worth, but still, it’s the small victories. This recipe is rich and delicious. You can easily make this a snack or have it as a nice accompaniment to your morning coffee for breakfast. Try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
  1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  1/4 cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
  1 cup sugar
  1 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
  1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  2 large eggs
  1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  1-1/2 cups bananas, mashed well (about 3 bananas)
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray your loaf pan with non-stick spray.

Place your butter, sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda in a mixer bowl and beat with the paddle attachment until combined. Add vanilla and incorporate well. Add eggs one at a time until no bright yellow shows. Add your bananas and combine.

Mix your flour and cocoa together and add in batches on the lowest mixer speed. Once combined, add your nuts and stir until just mixed through.

Place your batter in the loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 55 – 60 minutes.

Let cool, remove from pan and slice. Happy noming!

Chocolate Banana Bread