A fabulous loaf of moist, rich, and flavorful banana bread isn't far away. While you may not have tried a banana bread like this before, you won't want to live without this simple recipe.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x5 loaf pan. Set it aside.
Peel your ripe bananas and add them to a large mixing bowl.
Mash with a fork until no large chunks remain.
Add the vegetable oil and orange zest.
Mix well to combine.
Add in the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Mix well.
Add in the vanilla, eggs, and sugars.
Stir until smooth.
Add in the orange juice.
Whisk to combine.
Add in the flour and cocoa powder.
Stir just until no white flour streaks remain. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan.
Bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and come out clean.
Let the bread cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If desired, drizzle chocolate over the top for added effect.
Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
Drizzle with melted semi-sweet chocolate or add up to 1 cup of chocolate chips for extra flavor.The orange flavor becomes more pronounced after a few hours or overnight.For storage, freeze the bread for up to 3 months in an airtight container, thaw before serving. At room temperature, it can last 3-5 days, with day 2 being the ideal taste.