The humble banana bread gets elevated to a whole new level. Decadent Rocky Road Chocolate Banana Bread is moist, sweet, and worthy of a #RecipeNod.
Was banana bread a staple in your house? When mom had a bunch of bananas that were ripe, the aroma of banana bread was not far away. Simple, yet so delicious. Perfect to have with coffee, or a glass of milk after school.
I think this has been passed down for generations. My mom did it. I do it, and even my daughter called me one day and said: “Mom I baked some banana bread instead of throwing out the bananas”. You may think yeah so, but you have to understand, my daughter does not bake. This was a surprise even to me.
WHAT IS A RECIPE NOD?
A bunch of Canadian food bloggers are in a Facebook group called #RecipeNod. Each month we are given a bloggers name, and you have to make a recipe from their site. It can be whatever recipe you want. After you make it, you have to put up a picture on Instagram, and a mention on Facebook. You can also do a post if you so desire.
This month I was given Jared of The Hesitant Chef. Jared and I are practically neighbours. We live in the same area. I was thrilled to get the opportunity to pick one of his awesome recipes. This is my version of his Rocky Road Banana Bread.
A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF AWESOME
With a few ingredients, you can turn delicious into awesome. Mash up some bananas, mix up the batter, add some toppings and bake. Nothing is easier than making banana bread (except eating it).
I stayed pretty true to Jared’s version. I swapped out the coconut oil for butter. Added some vanilla. Switched the walnuts to almonds. Reduced the sugar slightly. Included dried bananas in the topping.
The result, well that is pretty obvious. The classic banana bread kicked up a notch. Moist, sweet, and chocolatey. Lots of crunch from all the delicious toppings, and the hint of roasted marshmallows. Trying not to cut into this Decadent Rocky Road Chocolate Banana Bread while it was warm was torture!!
CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Isn’t it funny how certain foods bring back such vivid memories? If you read Jared’s post, he talks about his sisters and how they influenced his life. Their favourite snack was marshmallows, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. All melted together on a spoon.
If you talk to my girls, I can guarantee my youngest daughter will tell you how her big sister made her eat icing sugar sandwiches. Not only eat but drink. You see, she made the mixture too thin, so it would not stick to the bread. Like I mentioned before, she is not a baker!!
Now the icing sugar sandwiches are from my husband’s childhood memories. He somehow managed to pass that along to our girls. He also loves condensed milk on crumpets. Yuk!!!
Growing up my friend’s mom made the most delicious banana cake. Again a simple, humble dessert. What made it so special was the actual banana in the icing. My Best Banana Cake Ever is a tribute to her.
What food brings back childhood memories for you?
Decadent Rocky Road Chocolate Banana Bread is perfect for dessert or snacks. A great addition to a brunch menu, or a potluck. There is always a reason to bake banana bread.
Do you have ripe bananas, but don’t want to bake? Chocolate Banana Roundup is a great place to use them too.
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Decadent Rocky Road Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (and some for topping)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (and some for topping)
- 1/3 cup almonds (chopped) (and some for topping)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup dried banana slices (chopped)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a loaf pan (9x5). I also used parchment since chocolate chips like to stick.
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In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
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In a bowl mash the bananas. To the bananas add the melted butter, sugar, vanilla and milk. Combine well.
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Pour the wet mixture on top of the dry mixture and combine. Do not over mix.
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Fold in the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and chopped almonds. Mix just to combine.
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Pour batter into prepared pan.
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Top with additional chocolate chips, marshmallows, almonds and banana chips.
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Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until done. Test with a cake tester.
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Let cool in pan.
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Once cooled, remove from pan and slice.
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ENJOY!!
Recipe Notes
If you don't like chopping nuts....place them in a sandwich bag and use a rolling pin or meat pounder to break them up.
***this recipe is adapted from Rocky Road Banana Bread by The Hesitant Chef, and was a #RecipeNod feature***
Try my other banana recipes: Best Banana Cake Ever and Chocolate Banana Roundup
I just had some chocolate oatmeal for breakfast but seeing this I’m craving even more chocolate haha
Well I’m pretty sure you would love this.
I love banana bread! Add in the toppings is great. I love the addition of the banana chips on top. This is a fun bread
It sure was delicious.
Whoa-it’s like breakfast and dessert all in one. You’re speaking my language. 🙂
I know…perfect for both.
That banana bread looks so amazing. Love your take on it with the chocolate and the gorgeous topping
It really is a step up from ordinary banana bread.
This looks outrageously delicious! Love the flavor combo you have going on here. YUM!
It really is awesomely delicious.
Brilliant! Great concept!
Yes I do agree with you.
This is such a good idea! I love making banana bread often, now I’ll make it super awesome!
Yes this does take it to a whole new level for sure.
The topping on this is just crazy AWESOME!!
Yes is truly is.
I would love to have couple of slices of this bread. It look sso pretty n delicious and saving it for making soon.
Hope you enjoy it…we sure did.
I feel embarassed to make this confession, but l have never baked banana bread. I know, how bad is that! We all love bananas in the house, so they are never missing from our fruit bowl, l really have to try your recipe. The bread must go so well with a nice cup of tea.
NEVER??? Oh my….you really need to give this a try then.
Banana bread was a staple in our house too! It’s actually one of those recipes that always brings me back to childhood 🙂 This chocolate version looks so rich and decadent! I’m in love!
Yes it is in a league of it’s own.
This. Looks. Amaaaaaaaazing. I am all about rich, decadent cakes disguised as “quick breads.” I will take a slice – no make that two – please!
HAHAH….yup it is a fun easy bread.
OMG! That is a loaded banana bread and I would be happily eating the whole loaf myself. Food and childhood goes hand in hand for me as well and I really enjoy it when I make something that brings back memories for me.
Yes those memories can be so strong.
Hehe banana bread is staple in our house also. My husband loves banana bread. Can’t wait to show him this recipe. He will be thrilled! This looks absolutely delicious. That marshmallows on top are just YUM!
Yup…it certainly takes it to a whole new level.
Sometimes, I lay awake at night, not being able to sleep, and I turn to Pinterest to scroll endlessly through the pages hoping that sleep will come soon. Last night was such a night. I saw this recipe on Pinterest and now, ,during my morning coffee, it’s here again. That’s a sign, right? I need to make this banana bread right away! 🙂
YES I would say YES!!!!!
I love this – what a great recipe ! This really does take banana bread to another level, I don’t think I would be patient enough to wait for it to cool down it looks so yummy.
Thank goodness it doesn’t take to long…but it is still hard.
Rocky Road is one of my favorite ice cream flavors and banana bread is a favorite too, I never thought of combining the two before. Genius!
I do agree…it is great!!
Talk about taking banana bread to a whole new level!! This sounds so much better than plain old banana bread!
Yes you are right…it is sooooo much better.
The texture on this bread looks great! My Mom’s favorite flavors are chocolate and banana, she’d love to find this on the table waiting for her.
Well I do agree…I think she would love it too.
Wow! You have truly taken banana bread to the next level! I’ve never tasted a cake with marshmallows before, but I bet it must be amazing.
It really is the humble banana bread on a whole new level. Hope you give it a try.
I’m drooling just looking at it. We also use parchment paper in our loaf pans. Makes getting a loaf out without it falling apart or cracking. I can see how moist it is. YUM! It would be dangerous to have around our house — I’d end up nibbling it away. 🙂
Yes parchment saves the day, especially with sticky stuff. It did not last long here.
Gloria I have to say this looks super amazing. I love the in the face shots too. You’re such a tease, making everyone drool! I haven’t tried any desserts with chocolate and banana. Can you believe that? I would love to start with your recipe. It looks to die for.
You have never tried chocolate and banana??? Where have you been. I think this is a great start for you. ENJOY!!
OMgosh, I saw this on Facebook and just knew that I needed to pop over here to look at the recipe! I know a few people in our house who would love to wake up to this bread tomorrow!
HAHAH….yes I know they sure would. It did not last long in our house.
I have banana bread in the oven right now, but I wish I’d seen this first, looks so good! Me and my cousins used to eat microwaved cheese slice sandwiches as kids, after an afternoon at the swimming pool. So gross now that I think about it, haha.
HAHAH…some of those childhood memories are pretty gross.
We love banana bread and I usually add chocolate chips to mine to make it more interesting BUT yours is UNBELIEVABLY good! Why didn’t I think of it? All those ingredients marry so well together and elevates this banana bread to outrageously gourmet good!
Well I sure wish I could take the credit for this bread…but so glad I did the #RecipeNod!!
Oh, this sounds so decadent! What a great flavor combo, I can’t wait to try this out! Yum!
It sure did not last long in our house.
What an awesome recipe. A combination of my favorite flavors!
It really is delicious.
Gloria. Oh my. I don’t normally approve of the word “moist” to describe something – it creeps me out. But your rocky road chcocolate banana bread is EPIC and definitely worthy of the usage of such a word. So YUM!
PS. Foods that bring back childhood memories: Kraft dinner. Seriously. Peas. Meatloaf. Soft chocolate chip cookies. Grilled cheese sammies with chocolate milk (you have to dunk the sandwich in the milk).
Well it is moist…and those childhood memories seem to have a place in everyone’s lives.
What kind of evil genius are you combining two of my favorite things? haha! I can not wait to try this!
HAHAH….a delicious genius!!
This looks rich and delicious! Since it has bananas in it, it totally qualifies as breakfast, right?
PS: I now want a crumpet (with butter and honey)
I would eat it for breakfast…no problem. I love crumpets…toasted with peanut butter!!
This is a fantastic twist on banana bread! And anything with chocolate and marshmallows has to be delicious!
Totally delicious.
Oh yum!! This looks like the perfect treat to put together during the weekend. Also, I will secretly let you know that the idea of sweetened condensed milk on crumpets actually sounds rather delicious…! 😀
HAHAH…OMG I will sure to let my husband know….since I always tell him it is totally disgusting!!
This is such a super way to jazz up a plain banana bread. Love it! My kids would love it too, I am sure!
Oh it bet they totally would love it too.
Holy crap.. rocky road AND banana bread?!?! This is like, the best thing I’ve seen all day! Now if I could just get you to deliver it to me so I don’t have to bake it lol
HHAH…well since it is soooo easy to make, you can have it in the oven in no time.
With those marshmellows on top, I am looking for a campfire!!! This is a decadent banana bread alright!!
Yes that is exactly what it tastes like…a campfire marshmallow.
Wow..I haven’t had banana bread in a long long time. I do have fond memories of my mom making it a lot growing up but never nothing like this. You have me re-thinking the whole banana bread thing 🙂
Takes it to a whole new level of goodness.
Oh Rocky Road anything….. what a great thing to do to banana bread! I will be trying this, as I struggle to use all those ripe bananas up!
This is the perfect place for those bananas.
This has to be the most genius twist on banana bread I’ve ever seen. My family loves banana bread and rocky road so they would absolutely LOVE this bread! Can’t wait to make it for them!
Well I sure hope you give it a try. We love it!!
I usually just add pecans to the top of my banana bread, but this is a whole new and exciting topping I need to try.
Yes it take it to a whole new level of yum.
pretty sure you just one upped ANY dessert bread. YES! rocky road is my fav ice cream and now I can have it without melting. LOL! Will have to try a gluten free version
Let me know how it turns out.
This is just everything! Nothing in there I don’t already love! I cannot believe there are marshmallows in this Banana bread!
I know…I just had to give this bread a try.
I’ll have to join this group! Sounds fun, I’m a bit sceptic because I do have problems following recipes… but if I can give it a twist like you did that sound great! Oh and that decadent post looks fantastic! I’m sure a popular dish for the kiddos also! Great work!
HAHAH….well following recipes is fine on certain occasions. I usually change a few things, like I did here. Yes I am sure the kids would love this delicious bread.
#RecipeNod is such a fantastic idea—I LOVE it! I would be delighted to see this catch on in my area. Unfortunately, I am allergic to bananas, but my husband is NOT. He buys them and then reliably forgets about them after eating a few.. I am very happy to have this delicious recipe to keep the rest from going to waste. These photos look delicious and decadent: Jared should be very happy! 😉
Thanks so very much. Jared was thrilled with my post…and his bread is awesome. I think you husband would LOVE it…and I wish you could enjoy it too.
Bananas and chocolate? That sounds like an amazing combination! My kids would go nuts for this, specially for the marshmallow on top.
Yes kids would love this…and the marshmallows remind me of a campfire.
This sounds soooo GOOD! Banana bread is definitely a long-time staple and has remained one when I moved away from home. I love making it with browned butter and dark chocolate chunks.
It’s funny how the humble banana bread is a staple is so many houses. Simple perfection is the best sometimes.
This banana bread looks amazing! I actually have some bananas that are pretty brown so this recipe came just in time. I love the addition of chocolate and marshmallows, my favorite!
It is soooooo goood. A whole new level of awesome for sure.
OH MY! I love banana bread but this is a whole new level of deliciousness! Definitely am going to make this this weekend for brunch! Thank you for sharing.
Yes it sure is on another level. Hope you enjoy it.
My kids would love this. Love the addition of banana to make it healthier too
HAHAH….not sure how healthy it is, but I know it is really delicious.
This looks fantastic, Gloria! Homemade banana bread with lots of butter is one of my favorite baking memories, my kids beg me to make it for them a lot these days. Time for another batch!
The classic always is a winner. Enjoy!!
Rocky road chocolate banana bread??!! What an genius idea! I love the sound of this.
Sounds delicious….and IS delicious. Hope you give it a try.
You can never go wrong with banana bread. I have many versions on my blog but yours with marshmallows look like something new. Thanks for the idea!
Well this is from a friend of mine…it was part of a #RecipeNod challenge.
I made a chocolate banana bread a few months ago and it was a big hit. I should make again.
Banana bread is always a hit here.
I have not made Banana Bread in a while and this makes me wanna go right into the kitchen to make some. So decadent… !
I think you would LOVE this version.
My son really loves Banana bread, and this reminds me that I haven’t made some in while. So maybe I might make your recipe today or by Friday. I’m sure he’ll love it! Just curios, what kind of milk do you use?
Just plain old milk Fred…but hey experiment. Coconut might work really well.
Ok cool!
Let me know how it turns out!!
This looks indeed very decadent and I love dried bananas! By the way – condensed milk on crumpets sounds delicious!!!
HAHAH…well the condensed milk is a big NO from me. The dried bananas are a great addition.
Loved this article! Food that brings back childhood memories for me is bean stew, my gran made the worlds best bean stew and my dad’s apple pie. There is never enough pie! =D
Yes childhood memories can be so strong for certain foods.