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Ahhhhhhhhhh summer is here. Summer means flip flops & sundresses & bright colors & ice cream. Actually, those last two I welcome all year round but you know.
What I love most about summer is the FRESH FRUIT! A trip to the grocery store and I can hardly contain myself. Strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, canteloupe, mangos, pineapple… I am in heaven! But my absolute FAVE summer fruit are red, ripe, sweet raspberries.
After picking up a perfectly fresh pint from the store, I knew I had to throw them into a recipe. Preferably one with the rotting bananas sitting on my counter because I just can’t look at them anymore. So what better way to use my bounty of fruits than in a carby, sweet banana bread?! 
I love baking banana bread. Just like chocolate chip cookies, banana bread is a favorite “blank canvas” recipe of mine because there are SO many variations and add-ins you can play with. Peanut butter, walnuts, toffee, oats, caramel, chocolate, butterscotch, nutella, berries, mango, etc etc.
You can make it with butter or oil, yogurt or sour cream, all-purpose or whole wheat flour. But no matter what add-ins or variations you choose, there is an art to making truly great and perfectly moist banana bread - and I’ve come to perfect it. It all starts and ends with some really, really brown bananas. Like almost black and too ripe to eat. Mushy and thick and practically rotten bananas are the secret to an unbeatable moist, dense, and sweet banana bread.
sidenote: another thing I love about baking banana bread is the SMELL! I swear I’m going to bottle up the smell of baked banana bread and call Heaven. Am I the only one that would totally wear it?
Today’s banana bread, with it’s incredible moistness and sweet banana flavor, is chock full of fresh summer raspberries and studded with rich dark chocolate chips. I’m telling you… this bread is addicting.
Oh and it’s practically a health good. You’ve got your bananas, berries, dark chocolate, low fat yogurt, and whole wheat flour!
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Banana Bread
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temp
- 2 large eggs
- 1 and 1/2 cups mashed very ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
- 1/3 cup plain low fat yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I used half semi-sweet, half dark chocolate)
- 1 cup halved raspberries, tossed in 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar and butter with a stand or handheld mixer on medium speed until well blended – about 1 minute. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the mashed banana, yogurt, and vanilla. Continue beating until blended.
Slowly stir in the flour mixture by hand, until *just combined* – do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and then gently stir in the raspberries – you do not want the raspberries to bleed their color. You may sprinkle a few raspberries + chocolate chips on top for looks as well.
The batter will be very thick, so spoon it into the prepared loaf pan rather than pouring it. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove from pan and cool completely on the wire rack.
adapted from RecipeBoy
PS: here are some more recipes you may enjoy!
Nutella Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Baked Banana Bread Donuts with Dark Chocolate Glaze
Strawberry Banana Muffins (fat free, 90 calories each)
Dark Chocolate Cherry Nutella Granola
{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
I love dark chocolate and raspberries together. Never would have thought to stick them in banana bread!
Karly recently posted..Corn Cakes with Avocado Tomato Relish
Thank you Karly! Berries + chocolate are a favorite combo of mine, so I knew they’d pair well in banana bread.
Oh my gracious, Sally. That looks SO good. Personally, I’d consider it a health food too. hehehehe:)
Exactly! Dark chocolate is good for you, right?
Oh, this looks incredible! I love me some banana bread! And dark chocolate…and raspberries. I know another great secret to moist banana bread (my great grandmother’s), I may just have to share it with you sometime
I love the smell of banana bread. Did you know that Yankee Candle has a banana bread candle? I own it, and it is out of this world. It is a discontinued one, but you can get lucky and find it once and awhile! I would highly recommend your finding it! Great recipe, love!
Sabrina recently posted..PB n’ J Puppy Chow.
Sabrina, I had NO idea Yankee had a banana bread candle! I must go on a mad search for one ASAP. Thank you for the suggestion. If I find it, I will probably burn it 24/7 and be forever grateful to you!! xo!
Sally this looks amazing!!! And the pics…each and every post I am seeing your photos just shine and get more amazing than the last. Beautiful work!
And I like the rainbow-themed font
And the split/half-n-half pic. Did you use something like picmonkey to create that? It can be a pain in LR. One of the only downfalls of it.
Gorgeous post!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Ani Phyo Cookbooks Giveaway – Set of Two
Averie! Thank you SO much. This is the nicest compliment I could ever receive because I personally was not excited about these pictures! Thank you for the confidence boost! I actually used LR for the diptych/split in half pic. I googled “How to create a diptych in LR” and watched a youtube video to create it – it was a pain, but you can save it as a preset and use it each time, so you only have to do it once! Thank you thank you thank you! xo, Sally
You you LR? Fancy schmancy Sal gal!
You have a future in food photography!! P.S. I love this recipe!
Harper recently posted..Five Things
Yes! I splurged on LR! I am in love with it Harps!
Great twist on traditional banana bread, Sally. The baked raspberries look so beautiful!
Cassie recently posted..Wednesday Ramblings – May in Photos
Thank you Cassie!
I’m so excited about summer as well! This recipe looks like a perfect way to celebrate the season.
Jen @ Savory SImple recently posted..Buttery Sourdough Buns
Thanks, Jen! I love summertime.
oh wow! this bread is so pretty! and banana bread with raspberries and chocolate? yum! next time i make banana bread i will be trying this combination.
kirsten recently posted..Variations of the crescent roll: apple cinnamon and chocolate chip
Berries + chocolate make this banana bread stand out – seriously the best banana bread I’ve EVER had. Thanks Kirsten!
Who knew a banana bread could be so decadent? This is not your everyday run-of-the mill recipe! The combo of raspberries and dark chocolate is heavenly! I’d do anything for a slice right now.
Reeni recently posted..Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (Self-Frosting)
haha so funny, smash some up bananas! i would love to do that to make this gorgeous loaf of bread! i’m a huge fan of raspberries, although i’ve never paired it with bananas, i’m sure this would be just awesome. especially with chocolate chips!!! who wouldn’t love chocolate in their bread? this sounds like a great breakfast.
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..Pasta w/Poached Egg, Asparagus, & Lemon {Wanna Be A Country Cleaver}
Julie, the bread is seriously SO good the day after you bake it for breakfast. Best thing I’ve eaten in a long time!
Sally, I love fruit too! I’ve been buying peaches, apricots, and cherries like crazy. I found tiny local strawberries the other day and did a happy dance in the middle of the grocery store
Now if I could just find some rhubarb. But I’m allergic to raspberries 
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Roasted Garlic
Peaches! One of my favorites. I love peach pie. And cherries are a close second. Haha I actually love all fruits. Thanks Laura!
Wow….I just made banana bread last night and yours looks so much better. YUM
val recently posted..Cannoli Dip
Thanks Val! I’m sure yours was amazing as well.
I feel the same way about banana bread and chocolate chip cookies – they are delicious as is, but they are so fun to jazz up! This bread looks wonderful and I bet it tastes amazing!
Back For Seconds recently posted..Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Cups
Definitely! I love getting creative with banana bread + choc chip cookies.
omg im eating breakfast at the office (it’s not as sad as it sounds) and i totally wish i had some of this bread now ! I just need to be patient (not my strong side) and wait for the bananas at home to get dark…
Do i need to mention that i totally worship raspberries? …and the smell of banana that i would gladly wear !
Mo recently posted..Life is too short, run with the big dogs
Haha Mo, you are so funny. I have NO patience at all, so waiting for the bananas to get super ripe kills me! Raspberries are certainly the best.
Banana bread,chocolate and raspberries…taste buds are exploding! I must give the recipe to my sister as she is the banana bread queen in our family!
Shirley@bells-bakery recently posted..Apple Turnovers
woohooo, I simply fell in love with your blog <3 rlly awesome recipes, I was sarching for banana bread with some kind of berries and chocolate and…Ijust found it!
I'm going to bake one loaf, maybe tomorrow, maybe with strawberries or blueberries, coz the raspberry are not in season yet, in Poland, so it's kind of expensive idea… :p
When I'll bake it – I'll put it on my cook blog.
you could visit it, if you like – http://teczawsloiku.blogspot.com 
Rocksanka recently posted..Owsianka w słoiczku po maśle orzechowym
Blueberry banana bread sounds amazing!!
Sally! How I love you! I think I just squealed a little when I saw this post in my RSS reader. Banana bread with raspberries AND dark chocolate? Hell yes! Bananas = love, raspberries = super love, and chocolate = super love (obviously!) All my favourite things in one sweet loaf.
Well, this is definitely going on the to-do list and to be baked soon. Awesomesauce! Thanks for sharing.
Lisa {Sweet 2 Eat Baking} recently posted..Diamond Jubilee Crown Cookies
Lisa! I hope you make it… this bread seriously is life changing. The BEST banana bread I’ve ever had!
I am a banana bread freak! I love love love it so much but honestly, can never seem to get it just right. I actually think it’s because my bananas aren’t dark enough, so the flavor isn’t as strong. What a great tip to use up those nasty-looking naners on my kitchen counter
and I would totally wear banana bread perfume with you if you bottled it–so you have one order in! Also, raspberries are one of my faves; what a unique way to throw them into bread! I swear, you’re a freakin’ genius, Sally! I love that I found your blog because I know we’d be BFFs in real life! <3
Hayley recently posted..The Friday Roundup
I could totally see us being besties in real life Hayley! Banana bread beer? OMG. I’m dying.
PS–banana bread beer. There IS such a thing!
Hayley recently posted..The Friday Roundup
I puffy heart love jazzing up a good banana bread!! Chocolate and berries sound down right amazing in it! Averie is right…you have mad photog skills:-) and you must definitely find the Yankee candle…it is one of my absolute favorites!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Orange Glazed Muffins – Six Sister’s Stuff
I made this last night, yum! I had to use golden raspberries because my store was out of red raspberries (absurd, I know!). I also used fat free greek yogurt, and I subbed in 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour for all-purpose. It’s not as beautiful as yours, due to my golden raspberries, but still really tasty. I love it, thanks!
I’m sure it was still delicious! I love raisins + bananas together! Thanks for letting me know Lizzie, I might have to try that combination one time. Have a great day!
I used golden raspberries, not raisins. Though that sounds good too
Sally,
YUM! I love banana bread and am always looking for variations to change up the flavor. I love fresh raspberries too so I’ll definitely give this a try. Thanks for sharing
Thanks Michelle! The fresh raspberries studded through out the banana bread are a nice POP of flavor!
it’s in the oven, im so excited
Mo recently posted..LITS eat ! Asparagus risotto !
*full mouth* YUMMY !
Hi Sally!!
Thank you for all this healthy recipes! They look so so yummy I can’t wait to try them all! They all look like the perfect balance between healthy and delicious! I read in one of your brownie recipes that you are training for a half marathon and I got excited because that’s actually why I’m thinking more carefully about my food now. I’m training for a couple of 10K here in Sweden. I’ll let you know when I make some of your recipes!
Thanks again! Enjoy your training!
Andry recently posted..Flash Mob in Ångström
Thank you so much Andry! Good luck training! I wish I had some training buddies like you to talk healthy recipes with!
Awesome recipe,
I love banana bread
Here’s anther recipe you might like.
http://www.wascene.com/food-drink/delicious-banana-bread-recipe/
Thanks for sharing,
Soph
I made this awesome bread, but was inspired by your love for chocolate and peanut butter – so I had a little light bulb moment. I replaced the berries with some healthy peanut butter, the kind you have to stir and the ingredients say, very simply, peanuts. 1:1 ratio replacement of berries with the peanut butter. I added about a 1/3 cup more yogurt for an extra creamy texture. I also used almond milk in place of the skim milk and replaced the flour with rice flour – toying with gluten free! I baked using a mini-loaf pan, making 8 single serving deserts that I gave out to friends so that they could share in the heavenly bread. VERY filling and VERY awesome! I also made a second pan of bread, leaving out the chocolate, replacing with just peanut butter morsels – but added almond slivers to the recipe… any nut would be just as good.
Hi Tina! You are so creative! I haven’t made banana bread with natural style peanut butter before. I’m glad to hear that it turns out well! And your add ins sound wonderful – pb morsels and almond slivers – I love it! I bet walnuts or pecans would be tasty too. Thanks so much for writing in and giving me all these great ideas! Glad you enjoyed it
What a lovely recipe Sally, thank you ever so much for sharing – the way you write your blog is such a pleasure to read/follow, thank you. I have just baked this banana bread, it’s cooling as I type. I followed the recipe exactly but I ended up some how with a lot of batter, and it therefore took much longer to cook – it’s a bit of an odd shaped loaf too.. good job I do not have to post photos – your banana bread looks far prettier than mine. I will take it to work tomorrow for my friends, whom I know will love the banana, raspberry and dark chocolate combination. Thank you again, it really is a lovely recipe and a really nice twist on banana bread
Hi Francesca! Thank you so much. It means a lot to know that people read what I type. I had just enough batter for my bread but maybe some was left on the spatula, I can’t remember! I love this recipe, it’s my favorite banana bread ever. So glad you made it! Thank you for everything, your comment means a lot!
Wow – despite it being a rather large loaf, I have been at work less than 2 hours and 90% of it has gone!! Everyone loves the cake and has said how delicious it tastes – thank you soooo much Sally. I cannot wait to make this again. I wonder if any other combinations would work also? The loaf was beautifully moist and smelt divine – thank you, thank you.
Wow! I made this today and it was so so so delicious!
It’s almost disappeared though as my family have devoured it, so you know what that means… i’ll just have to make more, what a shame
Thanks for the recipe Sally! Definitely adding this to my ‘most loved recipes’ book.
Alana, I’m happy to hear that! This is by far my most cherished banana bread recipe! It’s so moist and soft and full of raspberries and chocolate.
So glad you like it as much as I do.
Could you use frozen raspberries???
yes, Joani you may use frozen.
Yes! I was hoping someone had already asked this.
I have about a dozen overly ripe bananas on my counter right now and remembered this recipe. There’s going to be a lot of banana based recipes in my house this weekend, he he.
I already made banana coconut mini muffins and froze another dozen ripe bananas for smoothies and banana soft serve.
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} recently posted..Saturday Morning Fitness Motivation
banana coconut mini muffins – sounds amazing Anna! Love having so many ripe bananas because baking banana bread is one of my favorite things to do on the weekends.
I’m going to make this right now in muffin form
Instead of putting chocolate I put extra raspberries
Extra raspberries and made as muffins sounds incredible Laily! Yum.
Hi Sally!
This looks delicious! I think I’m going to try to make it into muffins for Valentine’s Day morning! I love banana bread, especially with chocolate!
Chelsea @Flick of the Whisk
Chelsea recently posted..Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Pancakes
Hey Chelsea! I’ve made these into muffins before – SO good. You’ll love them. I’m obsessed with banana and chocolate too
Oh my goodness. I am speechless. This is the best banana bread I have ever made. For real. Thank thank thank you Sally!!!
It’s my favorite too Maggie!! SO glad you love it too
OMG!! that about sums it up.
I made these,but as cupcakes and GF style, for my kids and my husbands soldiers ,yesterday, for breakfast and not one is left.
HUGE hit and so easy to make.
I will be making these again, for sure, and next time I will have to hide a few for myself
Thanks for sharing
You made the banana bread as cupcakes! Amazing. I have a banana bread muffin recipe on my website but not a cupcake and definitely not GF! So glad you enjoyed it Dede!
Hi Sally,
I’m having an issue with the top, center portion of my banana bread not baking through. I feel any longer in the oven will burn or toughen the bottom and sides. What would you suggest? (The ends are super yummy, at any rate!) Thank you Sally!
Hey Jessica! Try covering the bread with foil and baking for 65 minutes. That may help the sides and bottom to burn less and cook the middle.
I’ll try that! I defer to your wisdom always. Many thanks and love from Canada.
oh man this bread was amazing i would definately make it again i used dark chocolate chunks so you got dark chocolate in every bite with the tartness of the rasberries and the sweetness of the banana it was prolly the best banana bread ever lol
The best banana bread ever? What a statement. Thank you!
This is the third recipe of yours that I have made and they have all been delicious! This is certainly no exception. Nice and moist and very flavourful bread! Sooo good with those dark chocolate chips.
Thank you so much for all the delicious recipes!
This would be great as muffins too….do you have any recommendation for how long you would bake? And at what temp?
Hi Alaina, without baking this bread as muffins, I don’t have an adequate baking time for you since I’ve never done it myself. Use the same oven temperature.
Oh wow…I just am becoming totally addicted to your site…but also to bananas…discoverd banana muffins…smoothies (also one of yours) bread but now this one? Oh my god…I need to find a wholesaler with extra extra ripe bananas because I’m gonna HAVE to make these!
Made last week your peanutbutter rolo cookies…and you know what…in case ANYONE overhere even dares to look at them…they’re gonna have to be running..also they have been given strict (very strict) rules never ever to touch my rolos…wow they’re really really very yummmm!
Thanks so much for your sharing, love to be coming back and hope to be doing that for a long while
ps had to go out and find special measuring cups since we in The Netherlands do not work with cups but grams…and I found them
I wish I could find a wholesaler who sold extra ripe bananas! But I always have to wait for them to get ripe on my counter! I’m glad you found measuring cups, Anita! Thanks for all the kind words and let me know what you make first!
sometimes at the market they will sell ripe bananas at a cheap price…from now on I know what I’m buying…ripe bananes by kilo’s! Overripe them and into the freezer
Will send a pic from the next bake!
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