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Marbled Banana Bread

Posted by: Kate / Breakfasts, Quick Bread / Posted: / Last updated:

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Best marbled banana bread recipe! This easy chocolate swirl banana bread recipe is so simple to make. Includes tips for foolproof swirls.

Loaf of marbled banana bread next to a blue linen napkin

I love to make swirled desserts! I took my popular banana bread recipe and decided to use the swirling technique from my marble bundt cake to make a moist banana bread with a rich chocolate swirl throughout the bread.

This banana bread is both pretty and tasty! It’s also really easy to make, and this swirling technique makes perfect swirls.

How to Make Marbled Banana Bread

Melted butter and mashed banana in a glass mixing bowlMelt the butter in a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl. Whisk in the mashed banana until well-combined.

Banana bread batter in a glass mixing bowl

Whisk in sugars until incorporated. Add egg and vanilla, and whisk until well-combined. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.

Chocolate banana bread batter in a white mixing bowl

Remove 1 cup of batter to a separate mixing bowl. Whisk in cocoa powder and milk until combined.

Pour 1/4 of the plain batter into the prepared pan. Top the batter with 2 tablespoons chocolate batter. Continue alternating batters on top of each other until you’ve used up both batters.

Unbaked marbled banana bread batter in a gold pan

Give the pan a couple of gentle taps but don’t stir. Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Loaf of marbled Banana Bread next to a bread knife

Tips

  • Butter: The butter should just barely be melted. It shouldn’t be hot and sizzling.
  • Bananas: You’ll need about 2 very ripe bananas, peeled. I like to use bananas that are brown and spotted but not black.
  • Flour: It’s important to properly measure the flour in order to avoid heavy or doughy bread. To properly measure the flour, stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring up and level it off.
  • Cocoa powder: I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe.
  • Mixing: I recommend mixing the batter by hand to avoid overmixing.
  • Swirl: It’s important to layer the batters on top of each other and to tap the pan to level out the batter. Stirring the batter can muddy the swirls.

Marbled banana bread on a wooden cutting board

More Banana Bread Recipes!

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Marbled Banana Bread

Marbled banana bread recipe makes a loaf of moist banana bread with a rich chocolate swirl throughout.
Author:I Heart Eating
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings:12 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate swirl banana bread, marble banana bread, marble banana bread recipe
Loaf of marble banana bread next to a blue linen napkin
Print Rate Pin
5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup butter1 (1melted)
  • 1 cup mashed banana2
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour3 (properly measured)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons milk
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8x4-inch loaf pan. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, whisk mashed banana and melted butter together until well-combined.
  • Whisk in sugars until incorporated.
  • Add egg and vanilla, and whisk until well-combined.
  • Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until combined.
  • Remove 1 cup of batter to a separate mixing bowl.
  • Whisk in cocoa powder and milk until combined.
  • Pour 1/4 of the plain batter into the prepared pan.
  • Top the batter with 2 tablespoons chocolate batter.
  • Continue alternating batters on top of each other until you've used up both batters.
  • Give the pan a couple of gentle taps but don't stir.
  • Bake for 40-60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. I check the bread around 30 minutes and tent with foil if it is browning too quickly.
  • Let cool in pan for a 5-10 minutes.
  • Remove bread to wire cooling rack, and let cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  1. The butter should just barely be melted. I melt it about 80% of the way and then whisk it until its completely melted. 
  2. About 2 very ripe bananas, peeled
  3. To properly measure the flour, stir it to break it up. Then lightly spoon it into the measuring up and level it off. 
  4. Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1servingCalories: 175kcal (9%)Carbohydrates: 29g (10%)Protein: 3g (6%)Fat: 6g (9%)Saturated Fat: 4g (20%)Cholesterol: 27mg (9%)Sodium: 194mg (8%)Potassium: 110mg (3%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 15g (17%)Vitamin A: 190IU (4%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 19mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
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  1. Lucky me says

    5 stars
    Just made the marbled banana bread. Sliced a warm piece of banana bread and had it with cream cheese. It was fabulous!

    Reply
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