Chocolate Banana Bread

Here’s the recipe for a delicious Chocolate Banana Bread with an Italian twist:

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (better if the skin is already spotted)
• 200 grams of all-purpose flour
• 100 grams of brown sugar
• 100 grams of butter at room temperature
• 2 eggs
• 100 grams of dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of rum (a little Italian touch to add flavor)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F) and butter and flour a loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until you get a puree.
3. In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter with the brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Stir in the vanilla extract and rum for more depth of flavor.
6. Roughly chop the dark chocolate.
7. In another bowl, sift together the flour with the baking powder and salt.
8. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the banana puree, until you get a uniform batter.
9. Add the chocolate chunks to the batter and gently fold in with a spatula.
10. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
11. Bake for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Curiosity

Banana Bread is of American origin and became popular during the Great Depression when housewives didn’t want to waste even overripe bananas. It is enjoyed in many variations today, including additions of chocolate or nuts, but adding rum is a little trick to bring it closer to Italian tastes!

If you don’t have rum available, you can omit it, but it really adds a special touch and a slight alcoholic note that pairs well with chocolate and banana.