Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD

12/15/2022

From the time I was a little girl, my Mom would bake her special Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Christmas morning, filled with chocolate chips, and red and green maraschino cherries. To keep that memory alive, every Christmas I bake Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites – a family favorite that is perfect for both special days and everyday munching! With a super-moist texture, buttery banana flavor, an incredibly soft crumb, and stuffed with chocolate and cherry bits, this is one of our favorite things to munch on Christmas morning! This same recipe also makes perfect Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites

BANANA BREAD BAKING TIPS & TRICKS:

BAKING PANS MATTER: Dark baking pans will bake faster and create a darker top and bottom – I compensate for this by decreasing the oven temp to 325 degrees.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT BANANAS: Look for bananas that are ripe and spotted with brown “sugar spots” for the best banana flavor – the browner and riper, the better! The riper the bananas, the sweeter it is and the more moisture it will impart. If you don’t have ripe bananas, don’t make this recipe!
FROZEN BANANAS: You can use frozen bananas. Thaw at room temperature and drain off any excess liquid before using in this recipe
MASHING BANANAS: You can use your hand mixer to mash bananas! Break or slice the ripe bananas into large pieces and place in a medium bowl. Begin beating on low, then gradually increase to medium-high speed to mash the bananas completely. If you are weighing your ingredients on a kitchen scale, you can easily use this bowl for the rest of the wet banana bread ingredients.
BUTTER SUBSTITUTES: Margerine or vegetable oil will also work in this recipe. Margerine or vegetable oil will also keep this bread incredibly moist and maintain a tender crumb.
USE BOTH GRANULATED SUGAR AND BROWN SUGAR: You can use either granulated sugar or a combination of both brown sugar and granulated sugar for this recipe. A mixture of both makes this banana bread soft and moister!
FOR PERFECT CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITES: One of my secrets for the best Banana Bread is to brush warm maple syrup or honey over the top of the warm loaves when I take them out of the oven. This seals the top and keeps the Pumpkin Banana Bread Bites SUPER moist and fresh – especially if you plan to make ahead and freeze.
HOW TO FREEZE CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITES: Cool baked banana bread bites completely. Lightly wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and place in a large freezer-friendly reusable container. Date the container and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw uncovered and unwrapped in the refrigerator.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD RECIPE VARIATIONS:

RED OR GREEN MARASCHINO CHERRIES? I use red maraschino cherries when I make this because we prefer the almond flavor of red cherries. Reese and Polar Green both make green maraschino cherries that are flavored the same as red cherries, but they are hard to find. Typically green maraschino cherries are flavored with peppermint, so make sure to double check and feel free to use one or the other, or a combination if you prefer. If you’re making Hanukkah Banana Bread, you can also substitute Blue Maraschino Cherries, which have a berry flavor and a bright blue color – very pretty!
CAN I USE CANDIED CHERRIES? Nope! We’re not making a fruitcake!
LOVE ALMOND FLAVOR? If you like almond flavor, you can add a teaspoon or two of the red maraschino cherry juice to the batter – this is in addition to the pure vanilla extract! This will give your banana bread a light pink hue, so this works great for Valentine’s Day Banana Bread Bites!
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD MUFFINS: This recipe makes 15-18 Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins. Bake at the same oven temp for the same time.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD: You can prepare this as one larger Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – substitute a 9x5-inch loaf pan or four mini loaf pans, spray with non-stick spray, and bake for 60-65 minutes, depending on your oven. You may need to cover the pan with a tent of aluminum foil (to allow the steam to escape) halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown.
EGG-FREE CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD: Replace the eggs with natural applesauce; no other modifications necessary.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA NUT BREAD: Stir in ¾ cup chopped nuts to the banana bread batter – either pecans or walnuts add a nice sweet taste and tender crunch.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BUNDT CAKE: Simply bake this recipe in a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick baking spray for 60-65 minutes. You may need to cover the top of the pan with a tent of aluminum foil (to allow steam to escape) halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. Remove from bundt pan after 10 minutes; allow to cool to room temperature. Drizzle with a warm vanilla glaze and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and cherry bits.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITES

From the time I was a little girl, my Mom would bake her special Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Christmas morning, filled with chocolate chips, and red and green maraschino cherries. To keep that memory alive, every Christmas I bake Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites – a family favorite that is perfect for both special days and everyday munching!

With a super-moist texture, buttery banana flavor, an incredibly soft crumb, and stuffed with chocolate and cherry bits, this is one of our favorite things to munch on Christmas morning! This same recipe also makes perfect Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites

INGREDIENTS:
2 large eggs (room temperature)
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled, not scooped)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (or margarine), melted
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
4 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1/2 cups or 450g)
½ cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup mini chocolate chips
½ cup chopped red maraschino cherries (drained well and chopped)

SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT:
Non-Stick Brownie Bite Pan (12-well Pampered Chef or Wilton) or
Muffin Pan (regular size, 12-well)

HOW I MAKE THESE:

Remove eggs from fridge and bring to room temperature.
Drain maraschino cherries and cut into small pieces. I usually place the chopped cherry pieces in a paper towel and give them a quick and gentle squeeze to remove any excess juices.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (for shiny aluminum pans) or 325 (for dark pans) and adjust rack to middle of oven. Lightly spray your individual brownie bite pan with nonstick baking spray (or line with parchment paper liners); set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until well blended.
Whisk in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
Using a large spoon or rubber spatula, slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Slowly stir everything together just until no more flour pockets remain. Do not overmix!
Fold in mini chocolate chips and chopped maraschino cherries.
Pour the batter evenly into the individual wells of your prepared baking pan.
Sprinkle the tops with extra mini chocolate chips or cherry bits if you’d like.
Bake for about 18 minutes, or until the top is golden and springs back when lightly touched in the middle. A toothpick inserted in the center of an individual cake will come out clean when the Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bites are done. Baking time will depend on the size of your pan, so you’ll need to watch these carefully.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely on a wire rack. I use a small spatula or fork to remove the individual cakes easily.
Store in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

YIELD: 15-18 servings

CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITE RECIPE VARIATIONS:

RED OR GREEN MARASCHINO CHERRIES? I use red maraschino cherries when I make this because we prefer the almond flavor of red cherries. Reese and Polar Green both make green maraschino cherries that are flavored the same as red cherries, but they are hard to find. Typically green maraschino cherries are flavored with peppermint, so make sure to double check and feel free to use one or the other, or a combination if you prefer. If you’re making Hanukkah Banana Bread, you can also substitute Blue Maraschino Cherries, which have a berry flavor and a bright blue color – very pretty!
CAN I USE CANDIED CHERRIES? Nope! We’re not making a fruitcake!
LOVE ALMOND FLAVOR? If you like almond flavor, you can add a teaspoon or two of the red maraschino cherry juice to the batter – this is in addition to the pure vanilla extract! This will give your banana bread a light pink hue, so this works great for Valentine’s Day Banana Bread Bites!
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD MUFFINS: This recipe makes 15-18 Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Muffins. Bake at the same oven temp for the same time.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD: You can prepare this as one larger Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – substitute a 9x5-inch loaf pan or four mini loaf pans, spray with non-stick spray, and bake for 60-65 minutes, depending on your oven. You may need to cover the pan with a tent of aluminum foil (to allow the steam to escape) halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown.
EGG-FREE CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD: Replace the eggs with natural applesauce; no other modifications necessary.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA NUT BREAD: Stir in ¾ cup chopped nuts to the banana bread batter – either pecans or walnuts add a nice sweet taste and tender crunch.
CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BUNDT CAKE: Simply bake this recipe in a bundt pan that has been sprayed with non-stick baking spray for 60-65 minutes. You may need to cover the top of the pan with a tent of aluminum foil (to allow steam to escape) halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. Remove from bundt pan after 10 minutes; allow to cool to room temperature. Drizzle with a warm vanilla glaze and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and cherry bits.

BANANA BREAD BITE BAKING TIPS:

BAKING PANS MATTER: Dark baking pans will bake faster and create a darker top and bottom – I compensate for this by decreasing the oven temp to 325 degrees.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT BANANAS: Look for bananas that are ripe and spotted with brown “sugar spots” for the best banana flavor – the browner and riper, the better! The riper the bananas, the sweeter it is and the more moisture it will impart. If you don’t have ripe bananas, don’t make this recipe!
FROZEN BANANAS: You can use frozen bananas. Thaw at room temperature and drain off any excess liquid before using in this recipe
MASHING BANANAS: You can use your hand mixer to mash bananas! Break or slice the ripe bananas into large pieces and place in a medium bowl. Begin beating on low, then gradually increase to medium-high speed to mash the bananas completely. If you are weighing your ingredients on a kitchen scale, you can easily use this bowl for the rest of the wet banana bread ingredients.
BUTTER SUBSTITUTES: Margerine or vegetable oil will also work in this recipe. Margerine or vegetable oil will also keep this bread incredibly moist and maintain a tender crumb.
USE BOTH GRANULATED SUGAR AND BROWN SUGAR: You can use either granulated sugar or a combination of both brown sugar and granulated sugar for this recipe. A mixture of both makes this banana bread soft and moister!
FOR PERFECT CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITES: One of my secrets for the best Banana Bread is to brush warm maple syrup or honey over the top of the warm loaves when I take them out of the oven. This seals the top and keeps the Pumpkin Banana Bread Bites SUPER moist and fresh – especially if you plan to make ahead and freeze.
HOW TO FREEZE CHERRY CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD BITES: Cool baked banana bread bites completely. Lightly wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and place in a large freezer-friendly reusable container. Date the container and freeze for up to 3 months. For best results, thaw uncovered and unwrapped in the refrigerator.

Original recipe created by Snowflakes & Coffeecakes in December 2008; revised and reposted December 2022

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