Easy Brown Sugar Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

Don’t throw out those overripe bananas. They are the secret ingredient to this moist banana bread recipe that is loaded with chocolate chips and features a pecan, brown sugar and cinnamon topping. 

Got extra bananas you don’t know what to do with?

Make the most incredible banana bread recipe.

I hate to just throw out a bunch of bananas simply because the skins have turned brown.

Instead, turn those extras into homemade brown sugar banana bread.

Each slice features intense banana flavor with the crunch of a brown sugar pecan topping.

That’s where this recipe comes in to play. It calls for extremely ripe bananas.

You know, the ones with all the black spots on the peel.

Over-ripe bananas are the perfect way add a bit of sweetness to any recipe.

I’ll use them in muffins, smoothies, cookies and any quick bread recipe.

And did I mention the warm banana bread smell that will permeate the kitchen for hours?

Can you use brown sugar in banana bread

Yes. You can substitute brown or light brown sugar for white sugar in a 1 to 1 ratio.

Using light brown sugar will lead to a milder tasting bread.

The molasses in brown sugar retains moisture so it means a delicious banana bread either way with the best flavor that is moist as can be.

For this easy recipe I was able to cut back on the total sugar because the bananas are sweet enough.

Can I add a topping to this banana bread? 

I added a pecan oatmeal crumble topping with hints of cinnamon and dark brown sugar to add a bit of crunch to the best banana bread.

My kids and their friends gobbled up this easy banana bread recipe in a day.

Ingredients needed

Head to the grocery store to pick up what you’ll need to make this great recipe. 

Large bananas.  Grab a bunch and if they are ripe let them sit on the counter for a few days until they start to brown.

Brown sugar. Dark or light brown sugar work well in this recipe. You may already have this staple in your pantry.

Eggs

Vanilla extract

All purpose flour

White whole wheat flour

Baking soda

Salt

Chocolate chips.  I love the dark chocolate chips but my children are partial to the semisweet. Just be sure to grab a reputable brand. 

Oats. Old fashioned oats work best.

Chopped pecans. Fresh pecans are needed for the crunchy topping.

Cinnamon

How to make this homemade banana bread recipe

1.  Preheat the oven and prepare a loaf pan.
2.  Mix together the wet ingredients in a large bowl and add the mixture to the dry ingredients. 
3.  Mix together the ingredients for the banana bread topping in a small bowl and set aside.
4.  Pour the batter into the pan using a wooden spoon and bake the bread for 40 minutes.
5.  Add the topping over the top of the loaf and return to the oven to bake for 25 more minutes
6.  Once done, removed the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the kitchen counter.
7.  Slice up the bread and serve.
8.  Store any leftover bread in an airtight container or freezer bag if freezing for later.

What to do with leftover bananas

• Don’t toss them… freeze them for later.
• Remove bananas from their peels before freezing.
• Use them in smoothies, breads and cookie recipes and cut back on half the sugar.
• Let them come up to room temperature before blending them for cakes, breads and cookies.
• Slice them before freezing to use in smoothies. No ice necessary.

More great recipes using bananas

• Easy Banana Zucchini Bread Recipe with Pecans
• The Best Homemade Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie Recipe
• Banana Peach Smoothie
• Easy Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Cookies (Vegan Recipe)

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