Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts
Moist banana bread studded with rich chocolate chunks and crunchy walnuts for a perfect balance of sweet and nutty flavors. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers unsalted butter, melted, granulated sugar, large egg into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (about 3 medium bananas) ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter until combined.
- Step 3: Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, folding gently until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts evenly.
- Step 7: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Step 8: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread with Walnuts?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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