Chocolate Plum Banana Almond Bread

The sweetness of banana, the tartness of plums, the flavour of chocolate and brown sugar and the crunch of almonds make this banana plum bread recipe a delicious treat. If you love banana bread, then you also know that the variations are endless, right? Don't have plums, add berries, cherries, or apples. Don't have almonds? then try pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts. You do you!

I ended up with this variation just like every homemaker's baking story - had to use up the over-ripe banana 😂 and plums were in season. Chocolate Plum Banana Almond bread happened when I wanted to recreate my Chocolate Banana Walnut Bread using the oven but I ended up making a totally different version so decided to share the recipe here.

Plums are still in season and will be through October. But then we live in an era where food is imported from all over the world! You will know if it is not in the season if the price skyrockets. 🤣 Off-season, you can still make this banana bread recipe - just replace the plums! 

Plums and 90s kid

I grew up eating Ooty plums and it was a treat in abundance, especially during the season. We never made jams or baked with fruits -  it was not even discussed or expected. Well, mom only made one cake all our life - mutta pola. It was always bakery cakes for birthdays and anniversaries and no one judged. We used to just grab a plum from the fridge, wipe it clean on our shirt and eat it. And that is as joyous as eating a ripe mango. Plums have not been getting that kinda love that mangoes or apples enjoy. Anyways let me not delve into my love for the 90s.

Banana plum bread result

I was sceptical of the outcome of this banana bread but what came out of the oven was impressive. It was even more marvellous when I saw the red plum bits in each slice! I think I will always have the same excitement even if I was baking my 100th cake. It is a truly exhilarating moment. Agree?

As I mentioned in my Banana bread recipe, F is not fond of pure banana bliss desserts so this bread kinda camouflaged the banana in it. 😂 Let me get to the recipe details! 

Ingredients for this quick bread

• Flour: I have used both all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. You may replace wheat flour with all-purpose itself. But who does that now? 😛
• Cocoa powder: I have used unsweetened Hersheys. 
• Sugar: I have used both brown sugar and white sugar. You may use all brown or all white. 
• Leavening agent: You need both baking powder and baking soda. Do not skip. 
• Salt: a pinch will do but skip it if you using salted butter.
• Almonds: I have used whole almonds that I chopped up finely. You may use walnuts or pecans or hazelnuts etc. 
• Egg: use a large egg
• Banana: Measure after mashing the ripe banana as bananas come in all sizes!
• buttermilk/laban: I used full-fat laban. You may use whisked yoghurt or milk.
• Plum: I used 2 whole plums that I diced. Skip or replace with any dried fruits, cherries, berries, etc.
• Vanilla extract
• Butter: I have used melted unsalted butter but you may use oil. 

How to make Chocolate Plum Banana Almond bread?

This chocolate plum banana bread is also a "quick bread" which means the mixing of the batter is super easy and forgiving. All you need is two bowls, one whisk, and a rubber spatula! The mixing technique is called the muffin mixing method or quick bread method. Whenever I am using melted butter in baking cakes or bread, I make it a point to do that first before I start the process. Melting butter should be your first step so that it will cool down by the time you need it in the batter. 

Measured dry ingredients using the fluff, scoop and sweep method.

1. Whisk the dry ingredients 
2. Whisk the wet ingredients
3. Add the wet to the dry 
4. Fold gently until combined
5. Pour into a greased pan 
6. Top with chopped almonds 
7. Bake and serve

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Chocolate Plum Banana Almond Bread

The sweetness of banana, the tart of plums, the flavour of chocolate and brown sugar and the crunch of almonds makes this banana bread recipe a treat.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana almond bread, banana plum bread, chocolate banana bread

Servings: 8 slices

Author: Famidha Ashraf

Ingredients

Dry ingredients

• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoon white sugar
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon almonds chopped

Wet ingredients

• 1 large egg room temperature
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup mashed overripe banana
• ¼ cup laban (buttermilk) laban
• 2 plums diced
• ¼ cup melted butter

Topping

• 1 tablespoon almonds chopped

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 180°C.
• Grease and line the 8 x 4 inches loaf pan with baking paper.
• Make the batter: Add all the dry ingredients to a large bowl and whisk to combine.
• Add all the wet ingredients to a smaller bowl and whisk until combined. (make sure your melted butter is not too hot)
• Fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture bowl or vice versa and continue folding just until combined. Do not overmix.
• Use a rubber spatula to transfer the batter into the lined loaf pan, and sprinkle the chopped almonds all over the top.
• Make the banana bread: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test.
• Serve warm or cold with coffee or tea.
• Store the remaining banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days or refrigerate

Notes

Yields one loaf pan of size 8 x 4 inches or a 6-inch round pan

Measured dry ingredients using the fluff, scoop and sweep method