Today is being celebrated as the day of love the world over. People are expressing their love for each other through roses, rings, gifts, promises and ofcourse with food and wine.
I feel the greatest love you can give your family is a healthy and good lifestyle. Which includes delicious and nutritious food. This Valentine’s morning, i decided to bake a scrumptious banana bread for my loved ones with the most nutritious of ingredients. There is no greater way of showing love than to make food with dollops of affection, health and goodness.
Having said that, we are a family with a very strong sweet tooth but also are conscious of not including unnecessary sugar or fat into our diet. I am always on the lookout, therefore of ways of improvising recipes to exclude the unhealthy components and replacing them with healthy alternatives. This double chocolate walnut banana bread recipe is a result of that search and is one that is for keeps.
I have completely refrained from using wheat flour (refined or otherwise) in my dessert recipes. Almond flour & coconut flour are great alternatives for any desserts that have flour as an ingredient. The one tip i would give while using almond flour can help make really soft and moist cakes. After mixing the almond flour with the fat and the wet ingredients, always let it sit for 15-20 minutes to allow it to hydrate well. The flour will soak in all the moisture and will rise well when placed in the oven.
The other thing i try to minimise or use alternatives is sugar. For Banana Bread, its easily done as the fruit has a natural sweetness and makes up largely for the sweetness to a huge extent. The balance i try and use organic unpolished coconut sugar instead of refined sugar or even brown sugar. It also adds a hint of a nutty aftertaste which is great!
Even for the cocoa and the choco chips, i use the dark, unsweetened version. Lends the right amount of richness to the bread. The other highlight of this recipe is the minimum fat i have added. Because the mashed banana will extend a natural moistness and even softness to the bread, i add about 1 and may be another half table-spoonful of extra-virgin olive oil instead of butter
Ingredients
– 3/4 Cup Almond Flour
– 1/4 cup Coconut Flour
– 2 large & ripe bananas
– 1/4 cup of coconut sugar (i use less as i am good with less sweetness, you can add upto half cup as well
– 2 Eggs
– 1 tbsp Vanilla Essence
– 1/2 Cup Unsweetened dark Cocoa Powder (i love Hershey’s)
– 1/2 cup of Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Choco chips
– A handful of walnuts – roughly crushed
– 1 & 1/2 Extra-virgin olive oil
– Baking Powder – 2 tsps
– Baking Soda – 1/2 tsps
– Fresh Strawberries – 3-4 sliced
– A pinch of Salt
Process
1. First we would set the oven to pre-heat at 180 degree Celsius while we prepare for the cake.
2. Next we would start with getting the wet ingredients read. Take a large bowl & place the peeled banana in that and mash with a fork till its mostly smooth without large lumps
3. Now add the coconut sugar and the extra virgin olive oil and mix
4. Next, we need to add the 2 eggs and the vanilla and give it a good mix and set aside.
5. Lets prep for the dry ingredients for our bread. In a large sieve, place the almond & coconut flour, add the cocoa powder, salt and the baking powder and baking soda
6. Strain the dry ingredient with the help of a spoon into the bowl having the wet mixture and mix well in a cut and fold method till the wet and dry ingredients mix well. Allow this to rest for 15-20 minutes
7. We would now add half of the choco chips and the chopped walnuts into the mixture and mix well. I also added some sliced strawberries i had in the fridge.
8. Prepare a cake or bread tin with parchment paper and pour the cake mixture right into it. Now generously sprinkle the leftover choco-chips on top and tap the tin well to release any air pockets
9. Place the tin inside the pre-heated oven and bake the bread at 180 degrees Celsius for about 45 minutes or till the toothpick test comes out squeaky clean
10. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to cool on a wire-rack and then serve
Am sure this yummy chocolatey banana bread will end your search for a healthy alternative for a yummylicious dessert.
Bon Appetit and happy Valentine’s Day y’all!
–
Food 4 D Soul 