I read something recently about the relationships between mothers and children, about how children know deeply who their mothers are because they are the only ones who know what their hearts sound like on the inside.
Isn’t that just the loveliest thing?
You know what else is lovely? Chocolate coconut banana bread.
This recipe has been living in my brain for some years, and on one of my recent brown banana rescue operations* I finally got around to trying it out. I actually made this loaf not once but thrice, because I wasn’t satisfied with the recipe the first time around. It was good, but overwhelmingly chocolately, if you can even believe that such a thing is possible. I mean, it wasn’t bad by any stretch, but I wanted to be able to taste all of the elements, not just the chocolate. The second time, with a few tweaks, it turned out AH-mazing, and the third time was a charm just because I had to make sure the recipe was perfect. And also because potentially I have a problem.
People, this loaf is good. Like, get-this-out-of-my-house good. You know what I mean?
There is all kinds of great stuff up in here. Whole wheat pastry flour, coconut oil, and two kinds of chocolate play nice with the bananas to make one heck of a loaf. And that crunchy, golden coconut crown? Come to momma. This banana loaf knows what my heart sounds like on the inside.
*Also included in the brown banana rescue operation was this granola, this pudding (hello, lover), this smoothie (turned smoothie bowl and topped with the aforementioned granola), and these muffins. That just about cleared the old brown bananas out of the freezer so I could get the new ones in and thereby avoid a marital dispute over the massive pile of brown bananas on the counter, aka the banana ‘situation'.
Just a little reality check, and I almost hate to do this, but let’s acknowledge that all that good stuff still adds up to a legitimate treat. Have your banana loaf, and enjoy the heck out of it, but know that this is a moderation situation.
One year ago: Chocolate Banana Bread Smoothie
Two years ago: Mostly Whole Wheat No Knead Pizza Dough
coco cocoa banana bread
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas mashed (a little over 1 cup mashed)
- ½ cup virgin coconut oil melted
- ½ cup light brown muscovado sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ salt
- 1 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ⅓ cup Dutch process cocoa powder
- 150 g 70% or bittersweet chocolate chopped
- 2 tablespoon coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F / 180°C.
- Generously butter a 9 x 4 loaf tin.
- In a large bowl, combine mashed banana, melted coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a smaller bowl, sift together baking soda, salt, flour, flour, and cocoa powder.
- Add the dry mix to the wet, and stir together to just combine.
- Fold the chopped chocolate through the mixture. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking tin.
- In a small bowl combine coconut flakes and brown sugar. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter, and then place the tin in the oven to bake.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes. The loaf should be puffed and golden on top, and a toothpick or cake tester inserted should come out clean - however, if you hit a chunk of melted chocolate that might fool you. Check a few spots to be safe.
- Let the loaf cool in the tin for 10 minutes, and then turn out onto a wire rack.
- Enjoy warm, or at room temperature.
Claudia says
Have made your Coco Cocoa Banana Bread many times now as it is a family favourite. Easy to make and delicious....just decided it was time to tell you!
Katie Trant says
Aww, yay. Thanks for the comment, I'm so glad you enjoyed the coco cocoa banana bread as much as we do!
Emily says
Wow, this one was a hit in our family. I made it as cupcakes rather than a single loaf and it baked in about 20 minutes. Amazingly tasty.
Kimberly Adkison says
I was looking for something dessert like to bring to our monthly office meeting/potluck. Happened across this and it fit the bill perfectly. It was a hit and I barely had enough leftovers to bring home for the kids, who were disappointed when they heard that it was for the office! I always have ripe bananas in the freezer and now I have something else to use them in besides smoothies, muffins and overnight oats. Thanks Katie.
Cammy says
Oh that coconut topping is reeeeeaaaaalllly delish. Nice one!
themuffinmyth says
Yup, it really is the icing on the cake, as it were.
Tasha says
This looks and sounds incredible! Do you think it would work with any other type of flour? I have buckwheat and brown rice flour on hand… or should I just go buy whole wheat...
themuffinmyth says
Hey Tasha! I honestly can't say because I've not tried it with any other flours myself. Since neither buckwheat or brown rice flour contain any gluten, I imagine the texture of the loaf could end up quite differently. What I used was whole wheat pastry flour which is lighter than regular whole wheat flour, but a bit more on the dense and fibery side than say, all purpose. If you give it ago with an alternate flour be sure to let us know what you did and how it worked out!
Be Miam! says
That looks so good!
themuffinmyth says
Thank you! It really is.
Deena Kakaya says
I like your opening paragraphs Katie! So true, I felt like I knew my boy before he was born, I knew his personality traits and I knew he was smart. I also love banana and chocolate and bread and I love them warm...mmm... X
themuffinmyth says
It is a lovely combination, isn't it? And the coconut crunch on top really brings it home.