Best Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe Is a Loaf of Happiness by Elisa Schmitz

When someone in my family is feeling down, I head to the kitchen for some baking therapy. Whether I bake something for them on my own or, even better, invite them to bake with me, whipping up something special usually helps them to feel better.

That's especially true of this chocolate chocolate chip banana bread recipe that I made with one of my kids when she was feeling sad. After all, what's more comforting than a loaf of fresh-baked banana bread? A loaf of double chocolate banana bread, of course!

Photo credits (all photos): Elisa Schmitz

As an an added bonus, this super moist banana bread recipe has a secret ingredient that helps boost nutrition: plain Greek yogurt. The yogurt adds moisture and flavor as well as protein and nutrients, which helps make this the best chocolate chocolate chip banana bread. (Read about the health benefits of Greek yogurt.)

This rich and fudgy chocolate banana bread recipe includes plenty of overripe bananas plus sugar, butter, eggs, plain Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, sea salt and chocolate chips. You can add some chopped walnuts, if you like, but those are optional. You mix up the batter then bake it up in your loaf pan.

The result is a moist, delicious loaf of pure happiness that's equally wonderful as a sweet snack or decadent dessert that'll make just about anyone feel better. We won't blame you if you enjoy a slice for breakfast, too (it is banana bread, after all)! Try it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Oh, my!

Cuisine: American 
Prep Time: 15 minutes 
Cook Time: 55 to 65 minutes (ovens vary) 
Total Time: 70 to 80 minutes 
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 4 medium overripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips (divided)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the sugar and butter and cream them together.
   
2. Add the eggs, vanilla and Greek yogurt. Stir to blend. Add the bananas and stir to combine.
   
3. In another large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking soda, sea salt and cocoa powder. Whisk to combine. (You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour. I used GF 1:1 flour.)
   
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until everything is just incorporated. Do not over-mix. Add 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips and the walnuts, if using, and stir to combine. (I used semisweet chocolate chips, but you could use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips, if preferred.)
   
5. Evenly spread the batter into a 9x5-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper (or sprayed with cooking spray).
   
6. Evenly spread the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips across the top of the batter.
   
7. Bake in the middle rack of an oven that's been preheated to 350 degrees F for between 55 to 65 minutes, depending on your oven. (I checked mine at 40 minutes.) The loaf should pass the toothpick test. (If you find your loaf browning on top too quickly, cover the top loosely with aluminum foil.)
   
8. Allow loaf to cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes before removing it to a cooling rack. For best results, don't slice the loaf until it is completely cool. Store leftovers in an airtight container. This loaf freezes well, too.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily. Food, fun, health, happiness.