Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
I’m not much of a baker. Quite frankly I was never as good at it as I am cooking meat. However, I always had a thing for banana bread.
This recipe is so simple and satisfies a sweet tooth (which I have.)
Why this works:
Ripe Bananas: Using ripe bananas adds natural sweetness and moisture. The ripening process converts starches to sugars, which deepens the banana flavor and sweetness without needing extra sugar.
Melted Butter: Incorporating melted butter instead of oil or creamed butter gives the bread a rich, almost nutty flavor and helps distribute the fat evenly throughout the batter, resulting in a moist crumb.
One-Egg Structure: Adding one egg provides enough structure without making the bread too cakey. This keeps the texture tender and soft while giving it a bit of lift.
Balanced Sugar: A moderate amount of sugar enhances the sweetness of the bananas without overpowering them. It also helps with browning, giving the bread a beautiful golden color.
Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the bread rise and creates a light, airy texture. Combined with the acidic components of bananas, baking soda adds a nice lift without the need for additional leavening agents.
Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips add bursts of sweetness and a rich, melty texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft banana bread. The chocolate complements the banana flavor, making it even more indulgent.
Gentle Mixing: The recipe calls for folding in the flour and chocolate chips gently, preventing overmixing, which can make the bread tough. This ensures a tender crumb and prevents the bread from becoming dense.
Low and Slow Baking: Baking at 350°F (175°C) allows the bread to cook evenly, ensuring that the inside bakes thoroughly while the top develops a golden-brown crust. The slightly lower temperature prevents over-browning before the center sets.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2-3 ripe bananas about 1 cup, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter unsalted or salted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
- Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and mix well.
- Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the baking soda and salt to the banana mixture, then gently fold in the flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are fine, but it shouldn’t be wet).
- Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
