Bring some sweetness and energy to your day with a slice of chocolate and matcha banana bread. Loaded with chocolate chips and topped with a matcha icing, it’s just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy.
From the makers of Ito En, Japan’s best-selling green tea brand, comes matcha LOVE. matcha LOVE products are made with 100% pure, whole-leaf Japanese green tea, sustainably and ethically sourced with the utmost dedication to quality and a deep respect for tradition. It’s the best of the best!
Looking for stone-ground ceremonial powders? They have it! How about cold brew matcha tea? They bottle it and they’re ready to give you a subtle burst of energy that won’t leave you shaky or crashing in an hour. Our favorite product? Of course it’s the culinary matcha. We love experimenting with the powder to add subtle earthiness or a vibrant pop of color to a dish, dessert or smoothie. What makes culinary matcha different from other matcha, you ask? 
The flavor tends to be more vibrant in culinary matcha so that it doesn’t get lost when it is mixed into a sauce, cooked with or baked. Some mass market brands often sell their lower quality matcha powder as their culinary matcha, because what does it matter. It’s getting cooked, right? Wrong! We love that matcha LOVE takes their quality seriously and they hold the standard of their culinary matcha to the same great standard as all of their other ceremonial matcha powders.
So how does matcha LOVE source such great green tea leaves? They have worked hard to partner with sustainable Japanese farmers who grow the finest tencha. Not only does this mean they are making a vibrant matcha, but one that is packed with the best nutrients of green tea. Matcha is loaded with amino acids, catechins, EGCg, dietary fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and has more antioxidants than blueberries, pomegranates, spinach or acai. It’s a powerful leaf for sure!
To brighten up our lives when we’re feeling blue on a gray winter day, we baked some of the culinary matcha into a chocolate banana bread and swiped a spoonful of matcha icing on our slice. Not only does it bring your body nutrients and some energy, but it will satisfy that sweet tooth craving in an awesome way. (Plus, it uses up those brown bananas on your counter that you were never going to eat anyway.)
Matcha is such a great way to boost your winter moodiness or kick a cold! With L-theanine, matcha helps you to refocus and bring mental clarity. It is packed with antioxidants, flavonoids, and a ton of vitamins and minerals that will make your mood and all the inner workings of your body feel better. Even when baked or cooked with, matcha still retains its awesome caffeine and nutrient benefits.
Print
Chocolate and Matcha Banana Bread
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: Makes 2 loaves 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
Moist banana bread gets a sophisticated upgrade with matcha and chocolate. A simple matcha icing adds the perfect touch.
Ingredients
- 4 very ripe bananas
- 1 1/3 cups (315 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons matcha LOVE Culinary Matcha Powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (280 ml) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons whole milk yogurt
- 2/3 cup (160 ml) chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) heavy cream or 1 cup (237 ml) mascarpone
- 1 tablespoon powered sugar
- 2 tablespoons matcha LOVE Culinary Matcha Powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan and a 6×3 inch loaf pan by lining with parchment paper or greasing.
- Combine bananas in a small bowl and mash with a fork. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, matcha powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar and eggs. Beat on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (about 10 minutes). Drizzle in ½ cup vegetable oil and incorporate fully. Reduce mixer speed to low and add mashed bananas and yogurt.
- Sprinkle dry ingredients over batter. Mix on low speed until just combined. Use a spatula if necessary to avoid overmixing.
- Transfer batter to prepared loaf pans and smooth tops with a spatula.
- Bake for about 50 minutes, checking at 25 minutes; smaller loaf may bake sooner.
- Make the icing.
- Beat heavy cream or mascarpone with sugar using an electric mixer until smooth soft peaks form.
- Fold in matcha. Adjust sweetness and matcha to taste.
- Once banana bread has cooled, slice, top with icing, and enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips.
- To prevent over-mixing, mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Overmixing will result in a tough loaf.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 50
Find it online: https://honestcooking.com/chocolate-and-matcha-banana-bread/
Image courtesy of matcha LOVE
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of matcha should I use for the icing?
For the icing, it’s best to use culinary matcha like matcha LOVE, as it has a vibrant flavor that holds up well in baked goods.
Can I substitute the chocolate chips with another type of chocolate?
Yes, you can substitute chocolate chips with dark, milk, or even white chocolate depending on your preference, but make sure they are of good quality to maintain the flavor.
How ripe should the bananas be for the banana bread?
You should use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best sweetness and moisture in your chocolate and matcha banana bread.
