Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

This post is by Kirsten Oudin, dietetic intern

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is the perfect dessert for a cold winter. Use your leftover bananas, the browner the better, and whip up a batch of your favorite seasonal item. Below are three different takes on Banana Chocolate Chip bread, the original, the superfood,and the protein-packed. Whether it’s a treat for that special holiday party or an easy grab and go breakfast slice, these recipes are sure to warm your belly and bring joy to all.

            I made all three recipes over the weekend and I have to say that although I love the Original recipe, my favorite was the Protein recipe. Not only was the wholewheat flour hearty but the Greek yogurt, coconut oil, and honey made this bread extra tasty. You can always add protein powder and peanut butter or even chopped peanuts to this recipe for that extra kick! My Superfood Recipe did not turn out as well as I was hoping due to my avocado ratio so I probably won’t make that one again, but I will definitely be adding walnuts to my chocolate chip bread for that extra crunch and even as a topping.Try one or all of these recipes and just remember to stick to one slice when you eat these delicious treats during the holiday season!

Original Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 sticks butter
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350
• Cream butter and sugar together
• Add eggs, mix well, add vanilla
• Sift together flour, baking powder and salt
• Add flour mixture alternately with mashed banana to the butter and egg mixture
• Stir in chocolate chips
• Grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan, pour batter into pan
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 for about 65 minutes or until edges are browned and toothpick comes out cleanly from the center.

Superfood Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cup whole grain oat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup mashed avocado
• 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup walnuts

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mash avocados and add applesauce
• Add eggs, mix well, add vanilla
• Sift together oat flour, baking powder and salt
• Add oat mixture alternately with mashed banana to the egg mixture
• Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts
• Grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan, pour batter into pan
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 for about 75 minutes or until edges are browned and toothpick comes out cleanly from the center.

Protein Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 TBSP coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 2/3 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup chopped peanuts

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mix Greek yogurt and coconut oil together
• Add honey
• Add eggs, mix well, add vanilla
• Sift together flour, baking powder and salt
• Add flour mixture alternately with mashed banana to the egg mixture
• Stir in chocolate chips and peanuts
• Grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan, pour batter into pan
• Bake in preheated oven at 350 for about 55 minutes or until edges are browned and toothpick comes out cleanly from the center.