Description
This Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread combines the rich flavors of cocoa and espresso with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. Enhanced with olive oil for moisture and layered with two types of chocolate chips, this loaf offers a decadent twist on classic banana bread. It’s perfect for a cozy breakfast or an indulgent snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting chocolate chips)
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed
Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips + a few extra for the top
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips + a few extra for the top
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the banana bread.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and espresso powder until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the olive oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, sour cream, and mashed ripe bananas until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Toss the dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips with the tablespoon of flour to prevent sinking, then fold them into the batter evenly.
- Prepare Pan and Pour Batter: Grease a loaf pan and pour the batter into it, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top for garnish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully baked.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps it set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Dusting chocolate chips with flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
- Check for doneness after 55 minutes to avoid overbaking, as ovens can vary.
- Room temperature eggs help achieve a smoother batter and better rise.
- Sour cream adds moisture and a slight tang, enhancing the bread’s texture and flavor.
