Chocolate Banana Bread

Yet another banana bread, you think? 

Well first of all this one's a litte different. I pushed my original banana bread in a slightly different direction. The sweetness of the bananas and the tart of the raw cocoa powder gives the whole bread a little more texture and by keeping the nuts it can keep a little bite. 

I saw and tested many chocolate banana breads and most of them were really sweet and fudgy and just a little too much. Don't get me wrong. I love chocolate, I really do. And I love moist loaded chocolate cakes, but when it comes to banana bread, which I usually have in the morning with a good cup of tea or coffee, I just want it to be sweet enough to satisfy my sweet tooth, but not too much in order to avoid feeling stuffed. 

And why on earth everyone seems to make more and more banana breads, you wonder?

My theory is that this is the first opportunity in a long time that bananas and all the bakers around the world are ready (or ripe who knows ;) ) at the same time. I usually have bananas at home, but sometimes I jut don't have time to make a banana bread as my evenings are quite filled. And bananas don't always wait until the weekend, where there's plenty of time. Don't worry, I don't throw them away! I just freeze them for smoothies or have them on an almond butter toast.

Voilà! Now two very important questions as regards the quarantine-banana bread-saga are answered!

For one loaf you'll need:

260g spelt flour

50g cacao

380g mashed banana

60 ml milk of your choice

60ml maple syrup

80g butter or oil 

maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

1tsp baking powder

1tsp baking soda (don't replace with another spoon of baking powder!)

1 pinch of salt

120g chopped walnuts

****

Preheat the oven to 180° (air circulation mode)

Start by mashing the bananas. In a large bowl whisk together maple syrup, milk, butter, banana mash and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the flour, cacao, baking powder and baking soda and mix until you get an even dough. Fold in the chopped walnuts. 

Pour the dough into a greased loaf pan and bake for about 60 -70 minutes (check after an hour, when toothpick comes out clean it is ready). 

Banana bread is very tricky as it's a moist cake and all ovens work differently. Depending on your oven, do not hesitate to bake it 70 minutes or more. If the bread crust is not too dark, you can even let it cool in the oven after switching it of. 

Enjoy!!!

Are you planning on making this recipe? Or have you already tried it?

Then show me your creations on Instagram: @passionmeetscreativity  I'm looking forward to your comments & suggestions :)