Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread
A delightful twist on classic banana bread, combining chocolate and espresso for a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour For dusting chocolate chips
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp espresso powder Adjust according to desired coffee flavor
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil Can substitute with melted coconut oil or vegetable oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar Plus 1 tsp for topping
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ripe bananas (mashed) Ensure bananas are very ripe for best flavor
Chocolate Ingredients
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips Plus a few extra for the top
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Plus a few extra for the top
Toppings
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour For dusting chocolate chips
- ¼ banana 2 long thin slices off a banana
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and espresso powder. Stir these dry ingredients together until well mixed.
- In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, and mashed bananas until smooth.
Mixing
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips that have been dusted with 1 tbsp of flour.
Baking
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and top with a few extra chocolate chips and thin slices of banana.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of granulated sugar on top for a sweet crunch.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for a while, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
This bread can be served warm or at room temperature. Slice it and enjoy it plain, or spread some butter or cream cheese on top. It pairs nicely with a cup of coffee or tea. Store wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil for up to three days at room temperature, or freeze slices individually for longer storage.