Whole wheat banana bread

Eat healthy, live long, live strong!

 

 

·         This healthy chocolate banana bread is not overly sweet! The recipe only calls for a 1/3 cup of coconut sugar, but if you want a sweeter loaf, you can round it up to a 1/2 cup.

·         If you cannot find coconut sugar, you can substitute an equal amount of packed light brown sugar.

·         Make sure you sift your cocoa powder before you add it to the dry ingredients.

·         The walnuts and chocolate chunks are both optional, but great additions to this healthy chocolate banana bread. I love the texture that chunks of chocolate add, but you can totally use chocolate chips instead.

·         Use whatever variety of milk you have on hand! I’ve made this loaf with cow’s milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. I haven’t tried it with soy milk, but I assume it will work just fine.

·         I call this healthy chocolate banana bread healthy because, to me, it’s made with healthier ingredients I feel good about. That said, it’s still banana bread!

·         If you want an extra decadent treat, drizzle the loaf is chocolate syrup before serving! I used store bought, but you can also use homemade 

Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is made with ingredients you can feel good about!

Ingredients

·         1 cup plus 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour

·         1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

·         1 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 teaspoon baking powder

·         1/2 teaspoon salt

·         3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

·         1/3 cup coconut sugar (use 1/2 cup for a sweeter loaf)

·         1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

·         2 large eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature

·         3 teaspoons milk (cow's milk, almond milk, or coconut milk are all fine!)

·         2 teaspoons vanilla extract

·         1 and 1/2 cups VERY ripe banana, peeled and mashed (about 5 or 6 bananas)

·         3/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional

·         1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped into small chunks, optional

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with non-stick spray; set aside.

2.  In a medium bowl whisk together whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

3.  In a large bowl combine coconut sugar, coconut oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla; beat until combined. Stir in the mashed bananas. Add in the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chunks, if using.

4.  Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing the loaf from the pan and transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, slice and serve.

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