Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe
This Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread combines the rich flavors of cocoa and espresso with the natural sweetness of overripe bananas, creating a moist and decadent loaf perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. Enhanced with a hint of coffee and optional chocolate chips, this bread offers a delightful twist on classic banana bread.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 3 overripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp espresso powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Sugars
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
Optional
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas until smooth, forming the base of your batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and flavor agents.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat the eggs into the mashed banana mixture, then add both the brown and white sugars along with the vegetable oil or melted butter. Mix well until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Fold Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, taking care not to overmix, which can make the bread tough.
- Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): If you desire, fold in the chocolate chips gently to incorporate them throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly in the pan before slicing and enjoying your moist, flavorful chocolate espresso banana bread.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor without making the bread taste like coffee.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- If you prefer, you can substitute vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread, Banana Bread, Chocolate Banana Loaf, Espresso Banana Bread, Quick Bread