Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
This is the BEST chocolate chunk banana bread. It’s super moist and loaded with large chunks of chocolate and sweet banana flavor. Every slice is comforting, and is so tasty served warm with just a little bit of butter. Everyone will be asking you for this recipe!
You know how much I love banana bread! Our popular Sour Cream Banana Bread is shared by so many all over the web, and I keep a few loaves in my freezer at all times. We also took this recipe to a new level by adding large chocolate chunks. So now it’s hard to distinguish between which banana bread is best. HA. This recipe has been on our blog since 2014!
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
It’s not really a chocolate banana bread (base with chocolate), but a rich, almost-creamy (when using the sweet ripe bananas) base with the chocoalte chunks. I usually buy the chunks at Trader Joe’s (they are dark chocolate), but you can get your favorite brand.
Also, did you know you never have to toss old bananas? Just peel and freeze them. My daughter never wastes a banana – I just look in the freezer and I see little containers already mashed and ready to use! I never run out of bananas.
Why I love this recipe
- It’s a melt-in-your-mouth kind of bread.
- A great way to use up the old bananas that are sitting on the counter. What other kind of fruit tastes the BEST when it’s overly-ripe and mushy?
- Easy recipe to bake and freeze!
- Love it served with peanut butter or butter or jam!
Gather these ingredients
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Flour – we use all purpose
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Mashed bananas, about 3 – make sure they are very ripe (and sweet)
- Sour cream
- Vanilla
- Chocolate chunks – I often buy these at Trader Joe’s, but Nestle Tollhouse also makes semi-sweet chunks.
How do you make Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread?
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one 9-inch loaf pan (or 3-4 small ones). Pan should be 3/4 full of batter.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and mix well.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; combine with the butter mixture.
- Add the sour cream, bananas, and vanilla; stir well.
- Add in the chocolate chunks and mix in well until combined.
- Pour into prepared pans and bake for 30-50 minutes (depending on the pan sizes). Test the center before removing from the oven, that the bread is done. You can use a cake tester or a toothpick.
- Cool for 10 minutes and then turn the loaf out onto a rack, using a knife to cut around the loaf (for easy release).
Tips and substitutions:
- You can use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
- Swap out the large chocolate chunks for your favorite chocolate chips. Nestle Tollhouse also makes semi-sweet chunks.
- Add in nuts – like chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.
- In place of bananas, use mashed butternut squash. Have you tried it?
Serving
We love this bread sliced and served warm with butter, homemade strawberry jam, or our homemade almond butter. It’s the best mid-day snack, breakfast treat, or after-ski bite!
Storage
Store banana bread in airtight container (or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap) on the counter, to retain its moisture and best flavor. It should stay fresh for about three to four days.
Also, when putting banana bread in the refrigerator, it can dry it out quickly due to the cool air circulation. So we leave it on the counter!
More banana bread recipes to try while you are here:
- Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Bread
- Banana Bread (secret ingredient)
- Christmas Banana Bread (made with cranberries and orange)
- Hawaiian Banana Bread
- Eggnog Banan Bread Muffins
Get the Recipe:
Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup mashed bananas, about 3
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
Equipment
- 1 9" loaf pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one 9-inch loaf pan (or 3-4 small ones). Pan should be 3/4 full of batter.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and mix well.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; combine with the butter mixture.
- Add the sour cream, bananas, and vanilla; stir well.
- Add in the chocolate chunks and mix in well until combined.
- Pour into prepared pans and bake for 30-50 minutes (depending on the pan sizes). Test the center before removing from the oven, that the bread is done. You can use a cake tester or a toothpick.
- Cool for 10 minutes and then turn the loaf out onto a rack, using a knife to cut around the loaf (for easy release).
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I love that people still bring things over for new neighbors. Pretty much doesn’t happen in my hood.
I love banana bread and this sounds like a recipe I could actually make (not much of a baker). I was wondering about the size of the loaf pans. When you say small, what size are you referring to? I’ve seen some small loaf pans that would be what I consider individual pans. Looking forward to giving this a try.
banana bread all the way…lol!!!! I love making Banana bread! I brought some to our new neighbors several months ago (they too have adorable kiddos) and they LOVED it. Made a loaf of zucchini and a loaf of banana bread.
Love this. There’s a house for sale almost right across the street from us, want to move in so we can be neighbors! :)
I love bananas bread. Especially chocolate chunk banana bread! I would love, love, love to be your neighbor right now! :)
Oh my goodness, that looks so delicious! We love slicing up slightly overripe bananas and freezing them then pureeing them into ice cream. It’s so good!