Banana Bread With Chocolate Streusel
What to do with an abundance of over-ripe bananas? Well, make banana bread, of course. I usually have a banana every morning for breakfast, but ever since my go round with the flu, they just haven’t sounded a”peel”ing to me. This morning was going to be the last morning I would face that cluster of eight, huge, VERY ripe, tropical fingers that have been sitting on my counter ever since H went marketing during my illness.
As I dangled the poor victims over the trash can, bemoaning all the while about how I hate to waste food, J said, “make banana bread, Mom”. To which I responded – “I will make it if you promise to eat it”. As much as I love to eat a banana out of hand, I’m not crazy about their muffin or bread cousins. Go figure. But, I would rather rescue these little guys and escort them into some baked goodness, than to simply dump them into the trash.
If I was going to take the time to make bread, I wanted it to be a really good loaf. What could I add to this darling of a quick bread to make it “stand out” delicious. Many of the recipes I researched contained chocolate in the ingredients lists, however, I didn’t want to simply throw in some chips. I also didn’t want an overly sweet bread. Sour Cream Streusel Coffeecake came to mind. Why not make a banana bread with streusel running through it as well as on top. Streusel would also offer the perfect opportunity to introduce chocolate into the recipe.
So, here you have it. A coffeecake-like banana bread. Moist, and with just the right amount of chocolatey goodness running through it. A little taste of chocolate in every bite, without being overly sweet. Yes, even I enjoyed a piece – or two. Perfect with that morning cup of Joe or as a mid-afternoon snack when the kids arrive home from school. Do kids actually come right home from school these days, or are they off to dance, music, sports, Tae Kwon Do, Kumon…….
Intentionally allow a few bananas to freckle just to have an excuse to make this satisfying loaf.
Banana Bread With Chocolate Streusel
Streusel
4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup lightly packed, light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa, natural or Dutch processed
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large, or 3 small, very ripe bananas, mashed
6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat the oven to 350˚. Coat a 9″ x 5″ or a 12″ x 4″ x 2 1/2″ loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
Streusel
In a medium bowl, use a fork to toss together the flour, sugars, cocoa, cinnamon and salt. Drizzle the melted butter over the mixture and continue to toss until all the dry ingredients are evenly moistened. Set aside.
Bread
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed to lighten. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add the sour cream, mashed banana, and vanilla, and beat just until incorporated.
Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan, spreading to cover the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle half of the streusel over the batter. Spoon the remaining batter on top of the streusel and spread to cover. Sprinkle on the remaining streusel.
Bake in the center of the oven for 60 to 70 minutes, depending on the size of pan used. Begin checking after 55 minutes by inserting a cake tester or toothpick into the center of the bread. When it comes out clean, the bread is done.
Remove to a rack to cool for 30 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan. Lay a piece of foil over the top of the bread, and flip the bread out using the foil to contain the streusel. Turn the bread back over onto the rack and remove the foil. Cool completely before slicing.
Yield: 10 to 12 slices
Thank you so much for sharing this! It sounds perfect! I had a couple super ripe bananas dangling over my trash too and couldn’t throw them out promising myself I would google a good banana bread. And now I don’t have to search as this sounds perfect with a touch of chocolate. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Kaytlyn!
I LOVE Banana Bread – but Mary, your clever idea to add a Streusel has (as Emeril loves to say) really kicked it up a notch – BAM !
This makes a familiar comfort food into a mouth watering treat. Love it !
I’m not a huge fan of chocolate in breads, but I’ll have to say this looks delicious!!! I’m gonna try it!
Let me know what you think!
A coffeecake like banana bread? Sounds like a fabulous banana bread loaf!
I can attest – this banana bread was DELICIOUS! My mouth is watering just thinking about the piece I was lucky enough to try.