Chocolate Cherry Banana Bread – mix things up with this super moist and tasty banana bread that is loaded with maraschino cherries and chocolate chips! So delicious, you will have trouble stopping at one slice!
You know when you have a craving that just won’t go away? That’s been me with banana bread lately. For a couple weeks now I have consistently been wanting some banana bread but have just not gotten around to making it. For a while we didn’t have sugar. Then I didn’t have bananas. Next, I realized there was no butter. Each time this happened I just gave up because I really did not feel like going to the store again that day.
Finally, the day I first started typing up this post I had all the ingredients and there was a loaf in the oven as I typed this. However, that was a week ago now and guess what! I want more banana bread. It never ends!
Sadly, what I made last week, and what I’ll probably end up making tonight is not this chocolate cherry banana bread… because I don’t have any cherries (notice a pattern here of me not being super organized with my fridge/pantry?) . But at least it’ll be banana bread.
Anyhow, I definitely am a follower of my cravings. Sometimes my cravings are for a salad or roasted veggies, sometimes for a greasy burger, slice of pizza, or a nice cold and creamy bowl of ice cream. Sometimes the fall somewhere in the middle, or are something totally crazy and out there, I try not to always give in to some of the unhealthier ones lately, mainly because I have been making a point to try and eat more nutritious meals more often. But I do try to work those cravings into healthier options when possible. And yes, sometimes I do give in and enjoy that burger, slice of pizza or bowl of ice cream.
Pretty much all my recipes you will see here are inspired by a craving I had at one point or another. And really, that’s what I want this blog to be all about – inspiring cravings.
Lately I haven’t gotten to post a lot of recipes, or spend much time developing recipes. I feel like my evenings and weekends have been quite busy lately! And the times they haven’t been busy I’ve spent reading or relaxing because I’ve been just so dang tired.
Take this last weekend for example. It was a long weekend here where I live, and I took the time to catch up on some sleep, have a date night with my man, watch some playoff hockey, enjoy some time with friends, and read a book! Sometimes you just need that time to put other things aside and just enjoy yourself.
This week is set to be another busy one too, however I do have a fun little recipe for you today. You already know I like putting my own unique spin on classic recipes, and I’ve done something like that before with banana bread here on the blog with this rhubarb banana bread. This is another fun take on the classic, with some chopped maraschino cherries tossed in. Throw in some chocolate chips too and you’ve got yourself a yummy loaf!
I’m telling you, this chocolate cherry banana bread did NOT last long in our house. And for once, it may have been ME who ate most of it in a short time span. Usually Joel is the one who devours banana bread when I make it!
Totally worth it. It’s so delicious!
No regrets when it comes to good food. Ever!
If you make this chocolate cherry banana bread please let me know! Leave a comment below, rate it, post on the Zest & Simmer Facebook page or share photos on Instagram using the hashtag #zestandsimmer. I’d love to see it and I am always thrilled to hear from you!
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Chocolate Cherry Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripened bananas , mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup maraschino cherries , halved
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a loaf baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the eggs and mashed banana until combined.
- In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the banana mixture, mixing in the vanilla as well.
- Stir in chocolate chips and maraschino cherries.
- Pour batter into loaf pan and then bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
I love banana bread too! And I love the addition of cherries here – I’m definitely going to try it. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Thank you Thanh! I hope you enjoy it ☺️
I was planning to bake a banana bread too today and glad that came across your post. The addition of Cherries is a great idea to it.
Oh that works out so well then! Thank you Sonal, and I hope you enjoy!
The recipe sounds like a perfect breakfast bread and love the combo of chocolate cherry and banana in it!
It definitely would make a perfect breakfast! Thank you Sandhys 😄
I am just seeing fresh cherries in the market. Can’t wait to try this.
Fresh cherries would also be great in this I’m sure!
I adore dessert breads and this one is full of things I love-chocolate, bananas a cherries! Delicious.
Aren’t dessert breads so much fun? Thank you so much Sharon!
I was wondering if this recipe would be okay to make in a 7-inch Bundt tin? I’m unfamiliar with how measurements might convert over! Thanks!
Hi Cynthia! I haven’t tried it in a Bundt pan myself so I can’t say for sure. It may require less baking time, but it also may not. I would suggest starting by baking only 40 mins at first to be safe, check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick, and baking longer at 5 minute intervals if needed. I would love to hear how it turns out!
So good! Yes, fresh cherries are amazing in this. Definitely keeping as a go-to banana bread recipe—the base is so yummy, I’d imagine that it’ll work with other add-ins.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe Mila! Thanks for your comment. ❤️
I am in Nicaragua and our bananas are small. Please tell me who much the mashed bananas should be – 1 cup or about 1 cup?
Hi there! 1 cup of mashed banana should work. Enjoy!