Are you tired of yet another banana bread? I spotted this recipe on Instagram from Chelsweets and had to try it. When recipes are labeled “banana,” they often just look like traditional banana bread in different shapes. This one actually stands out.
And it really is different. These bars are dense, chewy, and packed with banana flavor. They behave more like a bar than a loaf, which is exactly what the name promises.
I baked them late at night and let them cool completely before tasting. They were awesome the next morning—still moist and flavorful. I suspect they’d be even better warm, but my family, mostly my husband, made quick work of half the pan overnight.
This was my first time trying a Chelsey recipe, though I’ve followed her on Instagram for a long time—she creates beautiful cakes. I adapted the recipe very slightly from her original.
Recipe slightly adapted from Chelsweets.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Category
banana
bars/brownies
chocolate chip
dessert
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup mashed overripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and smooth.
- Add the vanilla, salt, and egg. Mix on medium-low speed until fully incorporated.
- Slowly add the flour and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the mashed banana and cinnamon, mixing on low until evenly distributed.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips, reserving a few to sprinkle on top before baking.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and scatter the remaining chocolate pieces over the top.
- Bake for 32–36 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set.
- Allow to cool completely before slicing for clean squares. Cut into 16 small squares.