Description

Discover the rich and bold flavors of Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread, a moist and decadent treat that perfectly balances the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with deep chocolate and espresso notes. Ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a coffee break, this easy-to-make loaf delivers bakery-quality results that will impress family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free version)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar (or maple syrup/honey for healthier swap, adjust wet ingredients accordingly)

Optional Add-ins

1/2 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free if needed)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Pinch of cinnamon or cayenne (for spiced kick)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
Mash Bananas: In a large bowl, mash 3 to 4 ripe bananas until mostly smooth with a few lumps remaining to provide moisture and flavor.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk thoroughly until fully combined and slightly frothy to aid aeration.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, espresso powder, and sugar to distribute leavening agents and flavors evenly.
Fold Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the bread.
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips if using, for extra melty chocolate pockets throughout the loaf.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to retain moisture and enhance flavor.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
Do not overmix batter to keep the bread tender and light.
Use finely ground espresso powder for best chocolate flavor without bitterness.
Check the bread at 55 minutes to avoid overbaking and dryness.
Allow the loaf to cool fully to help flavors settle and make slicing easier.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12 of loaf)
Calories: 180 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg

Keywords: banana bread, chocolate banana bread, espresso banana bread, coffee flavored bread, moist banana bread, chocolate espresso loaf, easy banana bread