Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread (Printable Version)
Rich, moist banana bread infused with bold espresso and dark chocolate chips for an indulgent breakfast or afternoon treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
02 - ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 tsp baking soda
04 - ½ tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
05 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed
06 - ½ cup granulated sugar
07 - ¼ cup light brown sugar
08 - ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tbsp brewed espresso, cooled
11 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
12 - ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Combine mashed bananas, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl until well incorporated.
04 - Beat in eggs, espresso, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
05 - Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
06 - Fold in dark chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
07 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and optionally sprinkle with additional chocolate chips. Bake for 50-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
08 - Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The espresso deepens the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee, so even people who say they dont like coffee will ask for seconds
- Its the kind of recipe that transforms forgotten bananas into something youll actually want to eat for breakfast
02 -
- The toothpick test is tricky with chocolate bread because you might hit a melted chip, so test in a few different spots to be sure
- Overripe bananas can vary in moisture content, so if your batter looks too thick add a splash more coffee, and if its too thin add a tablespoon of flour
03 -
- Dont use hot espresso or it will start melting the chocolate chips as you fold them in, creating streaks instead of distinct pockets
- If your bananas arent quite ripe enough, bake them in their skins at 350°F for 15 minutes to soften and sweeten them