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Moist Chocolate Espresso Banana Bread Recipe with Rich Espresso Glaze

chocolate espresso banana bread - featured image

A moist chocolate espresso banana bread with a rich espresso glaze that perfectly balances the flavors of chocolate, coffee, and ripe bananas. Ideal for coffee lovers seeking a sophisticated yet comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 ยพ cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ยผ cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • ยฝ cup (115 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ยพ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons strong brewed espresso or 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water
  • For the Rich Espresso Glaze:
  • 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 23 tablespoons brewed espresso
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray and line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a larger bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until combined. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and brewed espresso.
  4. Fold the mashed bananas into the wet mixture.
  5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until no flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Tent with foil halfway through if the top browns too quickly.
  8. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. To make the espresso glaze, whisk powdered sugar, brewed espresso, and melted butter in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust espresso to achieve a pourable but thick consistency.
  10. Drizzle the glaze generously over the cooled banana bread and let it set for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Use ripe bananas for best sweetness and moisture. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread tender. For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking mix. Dairy-free options include using coconut oil or dairy-free butter substitutes. Let the bread cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into a syrup. If bread turns out dry, try reducing flour slightly or adding a splash of yogurt or sour cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, chocolate banana bread, espresso banana bread, coffee dessert, moist banana bread, chocolate espresso glaze, easy banana bread