Description
This classic Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe combines moist, ripe bananas with rich chocolate chips for a deliciously sweet and comforting treat. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, this easy-to-make bread uses simple ingredients and requires no special equipment beyond a loaf pan and an oven.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread
- 2 to 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup sugar (can reduce to 1/2 if desired)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (or more to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the banana bread.
- Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth and free of large chunks.
- Add Butter: Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas to add fat and enhance moisture in the bread.
- Add Dry Leavening Agents: Mix in the baking soda and a pinch of salt, which will help the bread rise and balance sweetness.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture and stir until all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Flour: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, stirring just until the batter is combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in half of the chocolate chips, reserving some to sprinkle on top before baking if preferred.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Pour the batter into a greased or buttered 4×8 inch loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until a toothpick or tester inserted into the center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack for complete cooling. This helps the bread set and makes it easier to slice.
Notes
- For a healthier option, reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup or substitute with a natural sweetener.
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the bread tender.
- Chocolate chips can be substituted with nuts or dried fruit if desired.
- Ensure the loaf pan is greased well to prevent sticking.
- Check the bread at around 50 minutes if your oven tends to run hot, to avoid overbaking.
