Deep, rich, decadent, gooey dark chocolate coconut banana bread.
Dear people who keep leaving comments on my blog, accusing me of photoshopping myself to look thinner (Seriously?),
If I wanted you to think I was super skinny, I wouldn’t have specifically pointed it out that I’ve gained weight. Sometimes lines are not straight in photos; sometimes the camera flash causes weird shadows; sometimes I stand at an awkward angle or an iphone pic will look distorted. But I am very happy with my body the way it is, and I wanted to make that clear because promoting positive body image is really important to me. I hear so many girls walking around calling themselves fat or saying they feel guilty for eating dessert, and magazines proclaim “New Year, New You” as if there’s something wrong with the old you and only girls who are a size 0 or have supermodel proportions deserve to be loved.
(To clarify: I believe that the message real women have curves is well-meaning but misguided. Your body size–small, large, or in between–should have absolutely nothing to do with your worth as a person. A girl who is very thin, whether naturally or not, is still very much a real girl.)
In my previous post, three separate people accused me of photoshopping the pictures of myself… but those photos are actually just screenshots from the online clip, and anyone can take the exact same screenshot for themselves. I found this kind of funny, so I had to point it out.
Speaking of photos, writing this post was really difficult. Every time I looked at that first picture of the banana bread—chocolate chips staring back at me through the computer screen—I wanted to quit writing and go eat banana bread instead. Did not help that my apartment smelled like chocolate.
(Not that this is anything new… my apartment always smells like chocolate, which is exactly the way I like it.)
For this particular recipe, I used the recipe for my favorite Chocolate Banana Bread and added THREE kinds of coconut. So really, I could technically call this Triple Coconut Banana Bread. And three coconuts are much better than one.
If you don’t have one of the three forms of coconut, feel free to leave any of them out. Obviously it will be more and more coconutty, the more types of coconut you add; but the original recipe without coconut is delicious too.
Basically, with chocolate chips and banana bread, it is hard to go wrong!
Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread
Adapted from Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Gooey Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread
Print This Recipe
[mrp_rating_result show_count="false" show_rich_snippets="false"]
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cup overripe mashed banana (400g)
- 2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp coconut extract (omit if desired)
- 1 tbsp white or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup canned coconut milk (not coconutmilk beverage - coconut free version here)
- 3 1/2 tbsp coconut butter OR 2 tbsp milk of choice
- 2/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey or agave
- 1/8 tsp uncut stevia OR 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 3/4 cup spelt, white, or bob’s gf flour, loosely packed (210g)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut, optional
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips in the batter, plus regular chips for decoration, optional
Instructions
Measure banana after mashing, not before. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease a 9×5 loaf pan very well, going up the sides. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the ingredients from banana to the sugar/stevia (the first 8 ingredients). In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients and stir very well. Pour dry into wet ingredients, and stir until just evenly combined. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan and spread out evenly. If desired, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the banana bread and press down. Bake 35 minutes. Then turn off the oven but DON’T open the door! Let sit 10 additional minutes in the closed oven before removing and slicing. (Some readers have said their bread needed additional baking time. This can sometimes happen, depending on climate where you live and differing oven calibrations. If this happens to yours, just turn the oven back on after the 10 minutes are up and continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center of the banana bread comes out clean.) This banana bread tastes even sweeter the next day, and it freezes well after slicing.
Link Of The Day:
Healthy Chocolate Pudding – 6 ingredients, NO tofu, NO avocado
Emily says
People are so rude. You look amazing – you looked amazing when I first started reading you years ago, and you look amazing now. Most importantly, you are HEALTHY!!! http://www.enchantinglyemily.com
Sara K says
Katie, I love the way you support healthy body image for all women. You are right that the phrase “real women have curves” isn’t as supportive as it first appears. I am a curvy lady who will always be so. As I work to lose some weight (much needed) my ten year old daughter told me (in all seriousness) not to lose too much as I would look weird if I were super skinny! I laughed and told her I appreciated the sentiment.
My daughter has an entirely different body type than I do. She will always be long and lean. She may never have the same kind of curves I have, but I focus on teaching her to be healthy through eating and exercise as well as understanding that we are all made different!
Aubrey says
Yum! I want this right now:)
Jennifer says
This looks amazing- can’t wait try it! Also loved seeing you on Dr. Oz- the screenshots you pulled do not look any different than how you looked on the episode, some people need better things to do 😉 Thank you for promoting a healthy body image through your great recipes!
Anna says
It says 1 2/3 cups of mashed bananas in the ingredient list, but 2 cups in the instructions. Which is correct?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
So sorry about that! The ingredient listing is correct, so 1 2/3 cups banana. Instructions are fixed now as well.
Jill says
So how may bananas does 1 2/3 cups usually work out to?
Rachel says
It took me three largish bananas.
Stephen says
I wonder how using coconut flour would work for some extra coconutty goodness.
Erika says
I’m also curious about coconut flour in the mix. If you ever experiment with an AP flour and coconut flour mix, I’d love to hear the results. It seems I have lots of it in my cupboard these days…
NJ-Cook4You says
Need to make these immediately! My mouth is watering!
Greets,
Toshi Bakes says
I guess I know what to do with my ripe bananas now 😀 I usually make normal banana bread but this recipe looks interesting!
Nina says
Dear Katie
You just keep doing what you are doing. I appreciate your wonderful recipes and share them with my family and friends. You blog is wonderful. Seriously. Just delete those people and ban them from your site. They obviously have issues and are not contributing in a positive manner at all. You have my heartfelt support always! Can’t wait to try this bread with my grand son.
RBee says
I’m sorry people continue to give you a hard time about the body God gave you. I often remind myself: for every rude person I encounter, I’ve met 4-5 who are wonderful. Have a great day, Katie. I appreciate all you do to make my world a little sweeter (literally).
Lauren says
I seriously cannot believe that people would comment those things. Do NOT let them bother you. The comments are absolutely ridiculous. In my opinion, you are the most talented blogger out there, and I cannot thank you enough for all of the hard work that you put into this blog! And thank you for all of the AMAZING recipes that I make weekly! You’re the best!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Yes!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Aw thank you for making the recipes 🙂
Ruth says
I love your blog Katie. I have been reading it for years and have always found you to promote not only a really healthy body image but a sincerely positive and meaningful lifestyle all round in everything you write and all your great recipes. I’d say what you contribute is genuinly one of the most psychologically balanced, relaxed but fun creative blogs on heathy eating out there. Thank you for being a radiant joy-giving ambassador, and please keep doing what you’re doing just the way you are. With gratitude and love from a very happy chocolate lover from England!
Becca says
Katie, thank you for your promotion of positive body image for women of ALL SIZES! I am a very petite, five-foot tall woman who is often not taken seriously as an adult because of my flat figure and short stature. Even though I’ve done the work of people nearly twice my size on chainsaw crews and on backcountry mountain trail-building crews, people still look at me and automatically assume I’m weak just because I’m small. It’s infuriating, and I know better, from my own experience not to judge anyone based on their body shape! You don’t have to be huge to be strong, or thin to be beautiful, or any specific shape or size to be loved. You just have to be you!
Cassie says
Hey, the more coconut, the better! Also, those screenshots do not look photoshopped at all. Just lots of false accusations! Anyways, will definitely look into this recipe!
Isabelle says
Hey Katie,
As someone who has lived on both ends of the spectrum – as someone with a bit of weight to lose, and now, having lost the weight in a healthy way and maintained that for a few years, as being someone considered to be ‘skinny’. The mixed messages of ‘we all need to lose weight,’ and ‘big is beautiful’ is very confusing. Sometimes I feel like I’m too large and too small at the same time. It’s infuriating. People obsess about it way too much. Katie, you look beautiful and happy, and there are always those who will not be able to imagine that someone so beautiful and happy is another human being with their own grievances, and will be jealous. Don’t worry about it, and just live your life ^^
(Coconut milk in banana bread sounds like a great idea by the way.)
Joy says
I made this today. It just came out of the oven and is delicious! It’s nice and rich too, so I can get my “chocolate fix” without needing to eat a bunch. Thanks for giving so many options for ingredients too!
Amber says
I logged on to find Wally’s Chili recipe (which I should have memorized by now – it is my favorite chili!) and was very quickly distracted by the picture of chocolate bread. Oh- there’s coconut in there too, and banana’s? Even better! I actually went to go check my coconut milk stash before remembering my original purpose! Thank you!!
Karen says
I once read a comment someone made (I can’t remember who), that said if you read an article or watch a video online and read the comments underneath, about the 5th comment down will make you lose all faith in humanity. In other words, read enough comments and there are always a few who will say something hateful. They are either trolls, jealous, or just very unhappy. You are a lovely girl and your blog is outstanding. Ignore the haters and know that there are many of us who appreciate what you do. 🙂
Rin says
I have followed you for a few years now and I don’t normally post comments, but I wanted you to know that I appreciate, agree with and support your comments about self worth and body image and body positivity 100%. That is one of the things about you that drew me to your blog in the first place. After reading your story I knew that you knew what that was really about. You weren’t just spouting off the feel good catch phrase of the year like some do. You mean it, you understand it, and you do your best to live by it. You are a great role model and someone whom I have enjoyed following as much for who you are as for the awesome recipes. Thank you for that and thank you for your post today.
Cait says
lol at people accusing you of photoshopping yourself to look skinnier when you previously posted blogs celebrating the fact that you finally gained some of the weight you wanted.
I just read this article the other day, about body positivity, and I think it hits the mark: https://medium.com/matter/i-really-love-my-fat-body-eca64ca3ec78#.gulprxsa5
ANYWAY on the recipe: my first reaction was that, wow, Katie sure loves her chocolate banana bread. Second thought was, WHYYYY is my food processor (and organic coconut..) not at my fiance’s house, where I am living. I need to make coconut butter. 🙁
I really want this right now. Maybe I’ll try one of your other banana bread recipes to tide me over. I have bananas waiting to be used!
tatiana says
OMG … Do people ever seen a skinny girl ? Skinny girls do not have boobs like you do 😉
You look good. Everyone as a figure, yours is slim and so what?
I also think that most people commenting such things must be from the US where the standards of ” ” ” normal ” ” ” figure and weight is a bit different from where I come from (France). So of course, a slim person, to your/their perspective is skinny.
I do not think so …
Anyway, keep baking and sharing your recipes please
Stefani says
unique recipes,
I have tried at home and my children very loved it & can’t stop eating.
Thanks for your recipes
Kirsty says
I haven’t commented before but I’ve seen the stuff you put up with, and I wanted to leave you a nice message… I adore your blog, I bought your cook book, and your recipes have never let me down! I don’t see how people don’t understand that some people are just built different sizes? I LOVE that you’re a tiny girl who loves chocolate, it’s totally awesome, and you always look so healthy and happy in your photos. I wish you a wonderful New Year and much chocolate in 2016!
Lynn says
Hi Katie! I’ve been subscribed to your newsletter for quite awhile now. I appreciate all the effort you put into it. You have a great sense of humor, warmth, kindness and compassion for others and most of all – your recipes are AWESOME! I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and peaceful 2016 and I look forward to more of your wonderful insights and recipes. Ignore the negativity of others. You’re doing a great job and don’t waste any energy focusing on them! Do what you do best, Katie! Share you wonderful talent and passion for baking. Thank you for sharing it with all of us!
Rocelle says
Dear Katie
Thank you for your awesomeness!! It saddens me that ppl feel the need to criticize and point fingers…I absolutely LOVE your blog not only for your recipes (which are fabulous) but for you- you are such a ray of sunshine. Just wanted to let you know you are very appreciated. I look forward to every recipe that pops up in my email.
Thank you!
Amy says
Seeing those rude messages truly grinded my gears…the person was obviously a troll since they couldn’t be bothered to leave their real name attached to the post. They knew it was hateful and wanted nothing more but to cause a negative reaction. Anonymity brings out the very worst of the worst. Anyone can say anything without consequence. Yet those same people would NEVER dare say any of those hurtful things to your face in person. You are amazing!! Keep on being amazing!! I’m a group fitness instructor and I get the “omg I want to look like you, I would do anything to have your body” ..and while that’s a very nice gesture, I preach to others to become the best version of THEMSELVES. Not a picture they found online, not a fitness model on instagram, themselves. XOXOX
Meghan says
The chocolate coconut banana bread was amazing! I did have to bake it an extra 20 min though. I didn’t put chocolate chips in because we didn’t have any but it was still delicious.
Emma says
I made this and it was a huge hit! Delicious! (Like you mentioned it might, it took a bit longer to cook, more like 45 mins, but my oven is old and not very reliable!)
Lorraine F says
I made this tonight, and it was delicious! My husband thought it tasted like German chocolate cake, and I agree! I actually shared it on my Facebook page, too. Thanks for the great & healthy recipe!
vogelstar says
That you even have to address such a topic upsets me and likely your many fans who have followed your site over the years. You have never on your site been anything but sweet, sincere, extremely talented, and glowingly beautiful (is that even a word?). Keep doing your thing!
Mel says
Katie – this bread was amazing. Oddly I was out of banana and had to sub pureed pumpkin and coconut sugar but it turned out great!
Just keep sharing your passion, light and love with the millions of people that you inspire with your blog. Anyone else is simply not deserving of your energy.
P.S. I didn’t know you were on Dr Oz – amazing!!!
L says
Hi Katie! So nice to meet you yesterday! I love the blog and always enjoy meeting people who pursue a healthy eating lifestyle like I do. If you ever need a guinea pig recipe taster in the building, I will happily volunteer haha. 🙂 I’m definitely planning to make this recipe in the near future
Atulit says
Yummy recipe tried it and love it too. Waiting for such more yummy recipes. Thanks for this one.
Jennifer says
I made this last night..used 2T of milk because I didn’t have coconut butter, and I omitted the coconut extract. If I do this again I’ll probably use 1/2 gf flour and 1/2 regular because it falls apart a little when cutting it.
Melissa says
Katie, I love so many of your recipes, but this.. this is a whole new level of delicious. My kids and I are obsessed.
Thank you so much for posting, you are the best!
Kristin says
This is delicious, moist, and easy to make–I left out the coconut extract because I couldn’t find it, and it still tastes great. I ate a slice with two eggs for lunch (not a vegan), and it was a great, filling meal!
Renee says
Katie, you are an absolute delight! I love seeing a beautiful, intelligent, talented young lady like you making her mark in the world. You need not change a thing! You are already empowered beyond your years.
Brigitte says
I just baked this bread last night …..I baked it according to the recipe …didn’t add the coconut flour and my coconut was unsweetened …I didn’t even measured the banana I only had 2 and that is what I added …it was so moist that my knife kept sticking …but super good I will serve it with either vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or home made whipped cream it wasn’t sweet I don’t like sweet …I added 1 table spoon if cane sugar instead of stevia and mixed pure maple syrup and honey perfect recipe
Thank you for this amazing website ..
Kelley says
Making this right now! Do I need to add xanthan gum if I use Bob’s gf flour?
Kelley says
I decided to use about 3/4tsp of xanthan gum and the texture came out well, no crumbliness! I also baked this as 8×8 cake instead of a loaf (for about 35-40 minutes), and did not grease the pan at all and it did not stick! Seems to be some sort of magical property about Bob’s Red Mill gf flour… 😀
sonam c. says
For the canned coconut milk, should it be the liquidy kind or the more viscous, pulpy kind? Is there a way to make your own?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I am not sure what you mean by “puply” but it should be the kind that comes in a can of Thai Kitchen. There are ways to make your own coconut milk; google “how to make coconut milk.” Hope that helps!
Abbe says
Hi Katie,
Would that be sweetened coconut or unsweetened or, does it matter?
I cannot wait to make this as I have all the ingredients ready and waiting. Thank you, just what I was looking for.
Cathy says
Hi Katie.
I just want to thank you. Four years ago I was seeking a healthier life style and eating habits, specifically gluten free and dairy free. Your blog was a life save for me.
Even though I’ve been eating ‘clean’ for four years, my colon perforated and I was so septic I almost didn’t make it. My Dr. told me I just ‘pulled the short straw. This never should have happened to me of all people.’ (I had absolutely no symptoms of diverticulitis!)
Six inches of my colon was removed and I now have a colostomy bag, which will be reversed at some point, thank God, but it’s been there and was so frightening at first.
I’m on a very low fat/low fiber diet.
Once again your blog has been a life saver for me.
Again, thank you so much!!!!!!
No need to add me to your newsletter. I already receive it!!!!
Pat says
Thank you for providing the amount of banana needed after mashing.
JC says
It may be sweeter the next day, but I doubt any will be left over that long!
Elise Anderson says
I love your recipes, they’re great! But I wish you didn’t feel like you have to defend your body. It’s yours and no one has the right to criticize you, especially people benefiting from all your lovely efforts. I’m sorry for anyone who said hurtful things, people can choose to be kind or hateful. I don’t understand those that don’t make an effort to make others feel good. Ignore ugly people. Thank you so much for your great recipes. You seem to be such a kind person, who deserves only kindness in return.
Majda says
Just made this tonight and it’s soooo good! Our 3 year old kept saying I love this chocolate cake! hahaha thanks Katie!
Orlee says
What is coconut butter?
Julie Dove says
https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/06/30/coconut-butter-and-coconut-oil/
Amena says
Hi, what is bob’s gf flour? can you post photo of the brand so i know what i am looking for in the store. Thank you.
Julie Dove says
Just google image search bob’s all purpose gluten free flour” and images should come up. Target or whole foods will have it usually.
Wanda says
In place of coconut butter can i use coconut oil?
Katie your recipes are healthy and yummy
Thank you so much
Jason Sanford says
You absolutely can!
chananiya gilead says
it came out really good. simple quick vegan cake. I used 1/3 brown sugar and a spoonful of honey, next time I’ll try replacing half of the flour with chiffon or another full grain.
I didn’t have enough bananas so I replaced 160 grams with plain apple sauce.
I didn’t have coconut cream – so I just used soy milk. for mini chocolates I sprinkled some 70% callebaut chocolate
erin says
Just wondering if coconut oil can be substituted for the coconut butter? same ratio?
Jason Sanford says
It can!
JJ says
Good to know!
JJ says
This recipe is so good that I screwed up the directions twice and it still came out awesome. I usually am very systematic with recipes, following the recipe in sequential order. For some reason I jumped around in my order today. When I had the mix in my bread pan I decided to read through the recipe again and noticed that I had left out, of all things, the cocoa powder. Fortunately I had followed the direction to grease the pan very well. I poured the mix back into a bowl and gradually added the cocoa powder, then poured it back into the same pan with the original grease job and decorated the top with regular chocolate chips. I baked it for the 35 minutes and then left it for another 10 minutes after the timer went off. When I was getting ready to take it out I realized that when the 35 minute time went off I forgot to turn the oven off and it had baked at 350 degrees for an additional 10 minutes. The recipe did mention that some people had found the 35 minute baking time to be too short, so I thought I might be okay. Now I decided to turn off the oven and leave it in for an additional 5 minutes (instead of 10). It turned out delicious and with great texture, still moist, and was a big hit. My wife asked me to give her a copy for her favorite stash. That is a true sign of success. Thanks again for another winning recipe!
Jason Sanford says
Ha! This made me laugh and I’m glad it worked out in the end.
-Jason
Miarou says
This is the most amazing banana bread I have ever had! It’s so moist and chocolatey(not a word but it should be!). I will definitely be buying more bananas to “accidentally” forget to eat them. Thanks again for another wonderful recipe!
Sandrell says
This was absolutely DELICIOUS, Katie! I am so glad I ran across your website.
Shirley says
I don’t even know what you look like and I don’t care. Just ignore the idiots, the world is full of them and it’s a waste of time trying to justify anything we do. This recipe looks awesome!!!
Shirley says
Wow, just checked out those comments and your photos. Like I mentioned, ignore the comments. They are the ones who clearly have deep issues.
Jason Sanford says
Here here!
LYNN says
I MADE THIS LOVELY BREAD STRICTLY WHOLE FOOD PLANT BASED WITHOUT ANY REFINED SWEETENERS. I USED VERY GOOEY MEDJOOL DATES AND PUREED THEM WITH COCONUT CREAM,(DIDN’T HAVE COCONUT MILK), AND THE OTHER LIQUID INGREDIENTS IN A HIGH POWERED BLENDER. I DIDN’T USE SHREDDED COCONUT BUT ADDED A LITTLE MORE SOYMILK TO MAKE IT JUST LIKE CONSISTENCY OF AGAVE OR HONEY. FOLLOWED REST OF INSTRUCTIONS, WITH ADDITION OF CHOCO CHIPS MIXED IN BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DONE IN 20 MINUTES, SO GLAD I CHECKED. I DON’T LIKE ANYTHING OVERLY SWEET AS I DON’T USE SUGAR SO THIS WAS SO PERFECT. IF YOU NEED IT A LITTLE MORE SWEET MAYBE ADD THAT STEVIA OR 1-2 TBL OF SWEETENER BUT FOR ME IT WAS PERFECT.
LYNN says
P.S.
I FORGOT TO MENTION I PUREED THE BANANAS IN THE BLENDER WITH OTHER INGREDIENTS MENTIONED ABOVE AS WELL:)
LYNN says
OOPS, ANOTHER CORRECTION, I BAKED 30 MINUTES AND TOOK RIGHT OUT OF OVEN AS COMPLETELY DONE.
MaryBeth Myers says
Made this today but I made it into 8 mini loaves. Omg. So so so soooooooooo good.
Sekinat S says
HELLO.
Please do you have a classic version of coconut banana bread without chocolate? Thank you
Jason Sanford says
Try this one! Use coconutmilk as the milk of choice, and you can add a handful of shredded coconut too 🙂 https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2017/01/16/healthy-banana-bread/
Jackie says
Hi Katie!
This is the first recipe that I’ve ever made from your site. I apologise because I butchered the recipe and my accidental version and rather unhealthy!
This recipe is so forgiving! It turned out amazingly despite my amateur, unplanned ‘adaptations’.
I had run out of flour, honey, didn’t quite have enough bananas, didn’t read the instruction thoroughly and put all the ingredients in the same bowl without mixing the flour first and I don’t own a loaf tin!
Here is what I used. In hind sight, I really shouldn’t have used so much sugar, it tastes amazing, but is really decadent!
A little bit more than 1 1/2 cup overripe mashed banana
2 1/2 tsp imitation vanilla extract
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup canned coconut cream
2 tbsp cows milk
1 tbsp honey (I estimate, I just squeezed the little bit that was left in the bottle)
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 dark brown sugar
Now here is where things get interesting….I hadn’t checked if I had enough flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup of self raising flour
3/4 of almond meal
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp cocoa powder- (I have no idea how much I used! I was using a 1/4 cup, it was very heaped because too much came out of the box, then my toddler distracted me and I couldn’t remember whether I had just put in the first or second cup…so I just left it!
1/2 cup regular chocolate chips in the batter, plus regular chips for decoration
Jason Sanford says
Ha I want to try it that way now!
Cathie Ochoa says
Katie I love you! Just made this bread, can’t wait for it to finish baking. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
P.S. It looks to me like you are exactly the RIGHT size!!
Zoe says
Amazing. Thanks for the delicious and easy to follow recipe!! I have tried heaps of similar recipes. But this is by far my favourite!!
CCK Media Team says
Thank you so much for making it! (Katie)
Tori says
I made this and it was super moist and delicious. I left out the coconut extract though and unfortunately as a result I could not taste any coconut even though I added coconut milk and shredded coconut (as directed). Next time I will add the extract and also use Canned pumpkin as another trader mentioned so that it is more coconutey sans banana. I added 1/3 cup ground flax and 1.5 tablespoons water for extra nutrition and it worked well