Banana bread is one of those recipes that always succeeds and delights with its rich, juicy taste. By adding cocoa powder, an even more intense and deep chocolate tone is obtained, which perfectly balances the natural sweetness of bananas. This recipe is simple, and the result is a soft and fragrant cake that you can serve with a cup of coffee or as a snack during the day.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 100 g of brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 80 ml of melted butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanillin extract
- 150 g of flour
- 30 g of cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- Half a teaspoon of baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- 80 ml of milk (or yogurt)
- 50 g of chopped dark chocolate
- Chopped walnuts or hazelnuts for added texture
Preparation – step by step
1. Preparation of ingredients
Before you start, preheat the oven to 175°C and line a banana bread tin with baking paper. Mash the bananas with a fork until you get a mushy mixture – they don’t have to be completely smooth, small lumps are preferred because they add extra juiciness.
2. Mixing the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until foamy. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract and mashed bananas and mix well.
3. Preparation of dry ingredients
In another bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and a pinch of salt. This mixture will ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed in the dough.
4. Joining the mixture
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing gently with a spatula or whisk. Add the milk and continue mixing until you get a homogeneous mixture. Finally, stir in chopped chocolate and, if desired, nuts.
5. Baking
Pour the mixture into the prepared mold and level the surface. Place the sliced banana lengthwise on top, press it gently into the dough. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry or with a few moist crumbs (but not completely runny).
6. Cooling and serving
After baking, let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a cooling wire. Cutting it while it’s completely hot can cause it to fall apart, so it’s best to wait at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
Banana bread tips:
✔ How to choose bananas?
Overripe bananas with dark spots on the skin are the best – they are the sweetest and give a richer taste and juiciness. If your bananas are still firm, speed up the process by placing them in the oven at 150°C for 10-15 minutes.
✔ The secret of juiciness – don’t overmix the dough!
When adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Over-mixing can make the bread dense and hard, instead of light and airy.
✔ How can banana bread not be dry?
Adding a little yogurt or milk makes the cake more moist. Also, it’s important not to overcook it – use a toothpick to test it towards the end of cooking.
✔ Enrichment of taste
In addition to chocolate and nuts, you can also add cinnamon, cardamom or a little rum to the mixture for additional flavor.
✔ How to store it?
This bread will stay soft for 3-4 days if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want it to last longer, you can freeze it sliced and thaw as needed.
Enjoy every bite! 😊
