Chocolate Banana Bread
Our Master Chocolatiers love making banana bread to make the most of overripe bananas and their sweet banana flavors while minimizing food waste. In this recipe, they couldn’t help but add a luxurious Lindt twist using the Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate to create an indulgent chocolate ganache. Chocolate lovers can enjoy this moist chocolate banana bread any time of day, whether it's a breakfast treat, a sweet snack or a dessert.
Chocolatier's Tip
Why not swap the dark chocolate for one of our white chocolate bars for a sweeter note? With Lindt's collection of irresistibly sweet chocolates, there are many ways to enjoy this excellent chocolate banana bread recipe.
Can I put chocolate chips in banana bread?
Yes, you can put mini chocolate chips in your banana bread. Though we use chopped chocolate in our classic banana bread recipe above, you can replace this with milk, white or dark chocolate chips. For an indulgent chocolate chip banana bread, add the luscious ganache from our recipe to create a double chocolate banana bread, or simply sprinkle extra chocolate chips on the top of your loaf. Alternatively, you can decorate with a dusting of powdered white sugar for a more subtle chocolate experience.
Whilst roughly chopped chocolate creates beautiful streaks and swirls in your fluffy loaf, chocolate chips create irresistible pockets of delectable chocolatey goodness. Both options are equally delightful and offer an exquisite taste experience with rich chocolate flavors.
Can you freeze banana bread?
Yes, freezing your banana bread is an easy and convenient way to enjoy it for longer. You can freeze it as a whole loaf in an airtight container, or cut individual slices and wrap them in plastic wrap.
When you are ready to enjoy your banana bread, just leave the individual slices at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Make sure to keep them in the cling film whilst they defrost so they retain their moist texture. If you have frozen a whole loaf, it might be easier to thaw it in the oven. Simply put the bread in the oven for 90 minutes at 180°C (360°F).
70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate EXCELLENCE Bar (3.5 oz)
Ingredients
- 150 g plain flour
- 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 170 g golden caster sugar
- 115 g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 300 g ripe bananas, mashed (about 3-4 medium bananas)
- 180 mL plain yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 bar (3.5 oz / 100 g) Lindt EXCELLENCE 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, roughly chopped
- For the chocolate ganache:
- 1 1/2 (1.5) bar / 150 g Lindt EXCELLENCE 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, chopped
- 180 mL double cream
- 15 g unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 23x13 cm / 5x9-inch loaf pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar and melted butter until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition. Beat in the mashed ripe bananas, yogurt and vanilla and mix well.
- Add the flour mixture to the mashed banana mixture and mix until just combined. Add in chopped chocolate until evenly distributed throughout the banana bread batter.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan from the first step and smooth over the top. Bake in the center of the oven for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (cover up the top if it is browning before the loaf is cooked).
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
- To make the ganache: Put the chopped chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and set aside.
- Pour the cream into a saucepan and gently bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and pour over the chopped chocolate. Add the butter and stir until melted into a smooth and glossy ganache.
- Leave to cool for about an hour or until thick enough to spread over the cooled loaf.
- Serve your banana bread with vanilla ice cream or fresh summer berries and enjoy with a warm cup of coffee.
