Chocolate Banana Bread

The holiday season is one of my favorite times to cozy up in the kitchen and bake a few simple, feel-good treats to share — and this Chocolate Banana Bread is always a hit.

It’s rich, moist, and full of chocolate flavor, while still being made with a more balanced approach that fits into real life.

With a few simple ingredient swaps, you get all the indulgent taste you’re craving, without feeling like you’ve gone overboard—something that becomes even more important in midlife when how you feel after you eat matters just as much.

Even better, it comes together quickly with ingredients you likely already have on hand, making it an easy option for both holiday baking and everyday snacking.

Enjoy a warm slice fresh from the oven, or pair it with your morning coffee or a cozy drink for a simple, satisfying treat.

Ingredients

• 1 C whole wheat flour (or gluten free sub)

• 1/2 C unsweetened cocoa

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 1 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/2 C light brown sugar

• 1/4 C butter, melted

• 1 & 1/2 tsp. vanilla

• 1 egg

• 1/4 C coconut oil, melted

• 3 large bananas, mashed

• 1 C mini chocolate chips (or sub with carob chips)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Lightly grease a 9x5 loaf pan (I like to use coconut or olive oil spray).

3. In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and baking soda.

4. In a large mixing bowl add mashed bananas, melted butter, melted coconut oil, light brown sugar, vanilla, and egg. Blend with a hand mixer on low to medium speed until smooth.

5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet, being careful not to over mix.

6. Stir in about 3/4 of the chocolate chips.

7. Pour bread batter into the loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top.

8. Bake for 50-60 minutes (or until toothpick inserted toward the center of the loaf removes clean).

9. Remove from the oven and cool on a baking rack for 10 minutes before loosening bread to remove it from the pan.

Eat and Enjoy!

👉 I share recipes like this (plus simple midlife tips) in my weekly emails — click below to join us now: