Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

It’s 100 degrees out and we’re trapped in the house. Who wants to turn the oven on?

Well, I do. I know, I know. No-bake treats are all the rage this time of year, but heck, I like to bake. A baker’s gonna bake. That’s how it goes. That’s why somebody smart invented air conditioning.

Every weekend, I find myself staring at tired bananas. They call to me, and sometimes I ignore them. That’s usually when I’m just as tired as they are. But sometimes I cut them up and freeze them for smoothies that I never really make, and that’s an effort right there. But if I’m feeling really energetic and serious, I’ll bake them into something. And this double chocolate chunk banana bread is probably one of the best ways ever to use those bananas!

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Speaking of bananas, I’m going bananas. Really. My activity level has ratcheted up to a crazy degree. I’m at work all the time except on weekends, when I’m thinking about being at work. It’s great being energized, full of ideas, and fired on all cylinders. On the other hand, the people I love are starting to get concerned. My mom offered Kenny and me an overnight trip away from it all so that I don’t burn out early in this new job. Isn’t she the best mom ever?

The truth is, I have gotten used to being able to do lots of things at the same time, but I don’t know how long I can keep that up. I’ve given up cake decorating class and guitar lessons for now, both of which hurt to let go. Those are fun activities, but they’re also time commitments I just don’t have right now. I told my guitar teacher that I’ll pick it back up when I get my footing at work.

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

The blog is, quite frankly, another concern. Since I took up JAB, I’ve been posting consistently 3-4 times a week. There’s no way that can continue, and Kenny has suggested I knock it down to twice a week. I’m thinking about it, people. I’ll keep you posted. This blog is not just a nice little side business; it’s also a source of passion. It’s just hard sometimes keeping all the balls in the air, especially with my crew at home to take care of.

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

On that ominous note, let’s focus on the good stuff. Namely, this double chocolate chunk banana bread!

It’s actually pretty healthy, and it’s gluten-free as well. The bread is made with Greek yogurt for added softness and moisture, and cocoa gives it the lovely chocolatey dark color. I filled the bread with dark chocolate chunks, and that’s pretty much all, folks!

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Right now, life is stretching me in 50 different directions and I’m adjusting. Stay with me during this time and keep reminding me that it’s okay to be human and occasionally post twice a week. Maybe I’ll start listening!

 

Double Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup canola oil
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup Greek yogurt (I used the vanilla flavor)
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups oat flour (you can use regular flour if gluten isn't an issue)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup dark chocolate chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the oil and brown sugar, mixing until smooth and all the brown sugar lumps are gone. Add the eggs, yogurt, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Mix well.
  3. In a small bowl, combine the oat flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until well combined. Fold the chocolate chunks into the batter.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 45-55 minutes until the a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  5. Cool completely. Cut into slices. Store covered.
http://justaboutbaked.com/double-chocolate-chunk-banana-bread/

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 24 Comments

  1. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, you do have the best mom!!! so sweet!!! Go to twice a week, or even once. . I say do what you can. . I went down to one post a week for a while in the summer and even though I’m back to posting a little more frequently now, I’m definitely going to have weeks in the fall where I only post once a week .. we unfortunately can’t do it all (although sometimes I wish we could); if there were 48 hrs in ONE day, maybe 🙂 LOVE this double chocolate chunk banana bread . . holy cow!!! Looks amazing!!!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Alice. I’m really bad at cutting back on working (a busy life is a happy one and all that), but I really need to be less obsessive about posting. I would LOVE to have more time. I guess we all would!

  2. Mirabelle

    That banana bread looks delicious! I’m sure you wi handle the stress, but be careful you are not just cutting back on free time – your life can’t be all work no fun, you’ll burn out even quicker that way. You need something to take your mind off work! Remind yourself that nobody expects everything to be perfect all times. Sometimes maybe take a step back and reevaluate if every single task you are doing is actually important enough (be that for your wellbeing or in your job) to justify the effort and time you are putting in, at least this is what I do in stressful times, it usually helps me a lot .
    I’m sure you will do just fine!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Mirabelle. That means a lot! I do need to remember to have fun, because that can really fall by the wayside in times like this!

  3. Megan - The Emotional Baker

    Hot weather won’t stand in the way of me and my oven either 😉 Yesterday I made cookies and bread – the extra sweat was worth it!

    This banana bread is simply perfect! I recently made a similar version & I can confirm this is a great flavor combo 🙂
    Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Cherry Pie Chocolate Shortbread BarsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      That’s why we have AC. To keep baking away!

  4. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Even though it’s SO hot, I still turn on the oven too! And I definitely would for this chocolate banana bread. Can you believe I’ve never had a chocolate version before? I definitely need to try this…looks SO good! And hopefully you can unwind a little bit and relax from work…maybe with a glass of wine and a slice or two of this bread! 🙂
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Raspberry Rhubarb CrispMy Profile

    1. Mir

      The chocolate version might be my favorite one yet!

  5. Amanda

    I have SO many bananas in the freezer. There’s a possibility that the freezer actually only contains frozen bananas and a pizza from two years ago. Usually I just use the bananas for oatmeal, but this looks way better. This really speaks to my relentless chocolate cravings. I love those dark chocolate chunks!
    Amanda recently posted…Cinnamon BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Ha! Empty the freezer, Amanda. It’s time!

  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Guuurl, I don’t know how you post so much with your job!! Mad props, but posting 2 times a week is STILL A LOT! I think you should listen to your hubby. Life is too short to be juggling ALL the time!! And your mom sounds fab! Listen to her too and take her up on her offer!! Okay, I’ll stop being bossy now. 😉 So bananas, I always have them! And I always want to bake something with them, but when I go to do so Boy has eaten them all (he’s like a dang monkey). I’m going to have to hide some so I can make him this bread! I know he will go crazy for this double chocolaty, chunky, ‘naner bread business! Looks amazing! Pinned! Cheers, chicka.
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…White Chocolate White Russian PopsiclesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I like it when you’re bossy, Chey. I feel the love!

  7. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

    Dude. You can totally slow down! And you probably should before you explode. Posting two times a week is a lot of work, so I have no idea how you do it 3-4 times a week. With a new job and a family, I can see how you might need to take a little break. You should take your mom up on her offer, open a bottle of wine, and relax with some of this delicious chocolate banana bread! Hang in there, girlfriend!

    1. Mir

      Exploding is right. So yeah, gonna try and slow down. Or otherwise, insanity. Thanks, Rachelle!

  8. Manali@CookWithManali

    Yes I am baking too with the air conditioner, a baker is gonna bake right? Love these bread, all that chocolaty goodness looks super delicious Mir!
    Manali@CookWithManali recently posted…Masala PavMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Can’t stop baking, can we?

  9. Sophia @ Little Box Brownie

    Yeah I’d turn the oven on too. This bread looks so stick and moist, totally worth the heat.

    1. Mir

      Completely worth the heat. Thanks, Sophia!

  10. David @ Spiced

    You know what? Do what works for you! That’s the nice thing about blogging. But whatever you do, don’t get burned out and just abandon JAB. I’d be sad without my constant supply of incredible breads, cookies and treats. You are a baker extraordinaire, Mir! And that leads straight up to this bread. You had me at double-chocolate. I need this bread in my life. Like yesterday. 🙂
    David @ Spiced recently posted…Vanilla Cherry TartsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s true, David. I like being my own boss in this realm, but that means I put a lot of pressure on myself. Thanks for being so encouraging!

  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    3-4 times a week is total commitment! I’m a 1-2 a week kinda girl, and with kids and a full time job, I have no idea how you do it. Props to ya 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Weekly Obsessions!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Medha. That means a lot. You’re amazing too!

  12. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss

    I say just keep doing what makes you happy – even if it means cutting back on the blog a little bit. I’ve been incredibly busy at work and it’s almost impossible to get posts done because I’m also swamped on the weekends with plans and other obligations, so I understand. We’ll be here waiting for more delicious treats when you’re ready to post!

    Love the looks of this banana bread – and I totally feel you on the ‘tired banana’. I’m a fellow tired banana over here, lol.
    Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss recently posted…Sit and Chat Saturday 6My Profile

    1. Mir

      So true, wise Jessica! I’ve got to figure it all out!

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