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6. Cool and serve
Allow the banana cocoa walnut loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once it’s fully cooled, slice and enjoy! The loaf can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or in the fridge for up to a week.
✅ Tips & Variations
- Banana ripeness: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your loaf will be! Use bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Add-ins: Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other mix-ins such as dried fruit (raisins or cranberries), seeds (pumpkin or chia), or other nuts (pecans, almonds).
- Dairy-free: Substitute the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative, and use a plant-based milk (such as almond or oat milk) for a dairy-free version.
- Make it gluten-free: For a gluten-free banana cocoa walnut loaf, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Double the recipe: If you’re serving a crowd or want to enjoy extra slices, simply double the recipe and bake in two loaf pans.
🍽 Perfect For
- Breakfast or brunch – A warm slice of banana cocoa walnut loaf is a perfect way to start your day, either by itself or served with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Afternoon snack – This loaf makes for an excellent mid-day pick-me-up when you need a little something sweet and satisfying.
- Dessert – Serve this loaf with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a delicious dessert.
- Gift-giving – Wrapped up in parchment paper or a gift box, this banana cocoa walnut loaf makes a thoughtful and delicious homemade gift.
- Meal prep – It’s a great recipe for meal prepping ahead of time. Slice it up, store it in an airtight container, and have a quick, healthy snack on hand throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
This Banana Cocoa Walnut Loaf is a mouthwatering twist on the classic banana bread that adds a rich cocoa flavor and delightful crunch from the walnuts. It’s the perfect way to use up overripe bananas and create a decadent yet healthy treat that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The combination of bananas, cocoa, and walnuts creates a perfectly balanced loaf that’s sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Whether you enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert, this banana cocoa walnut loaf is bound to impress everyone who tries it. And with its ease of preparation and simple ingredients, it’s a recipe that you’ll keep coming back to time and time again.
Give it a try, and enjoy every bite of this delicious, banana-filled indulgence!
Would you like more dessert recipes or tips on customizing banana bread? Let me know! I’d love to share more ideas.
