Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
If you’re anything like me, you know banana bread is a comforting staple, but once you try this Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. It’s that perfect balance of sweet, tangy raspberries with rich dark chocolate chunks folded into moist banana bread. Trust me, every bite is a little slice of magic that’s just as great for breakfast as it is for an afternoon treat or even dessert. I’ve baked this for friends and family countless times, and the raves keep coming—so let’s get you set up to wow your crowd too.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Moisture Balance: The ripe bananas and yogurt keep this bread tender and moist without being soggy.
- Flavor Contrast: Tart raspberries paired with bittersweet dark chocolate make every bite exciting.
- Simple Ingredient List: No fancy extras here, just everyday ingredients that come together beautifully.
- Easy Mixing Technique: Minimal mixing keeps the bread tender by avoiding overworked flour gluten.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe plays a key role in texture and flavor. I always make sure to have very ripe bananas on hand because they offer maximum sweetness and moisture, while the yogurt adds tang and keeps the loaf soft. Here’s a quick peek at what goes in and why:

- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your bread, it provides structure without heaviness.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise and gives it a light crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all flavors and balances sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds classic sweetness without overdoing it.
- Butter (room temperature): Brings richness and tender crumb.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture for a soft bite.
- Very ripe bananas: Sweet and mashed smooth, they’re the star ingredient for flavor and moisture.
- Plain yogurt: Adds tangy moisture and helps keep the bread fresh longer.
- Vanilla extract: Lifts flavors and adds warm depth.
- Dark chocolate chunks: I toss these in a bit of flour so they don’t sink to the bottom—hello melty, gooey bites throughout!
- Fresh raspberries: The juicy, tart counterpoint that keeps the loaf from feeling too sweet or one-note.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe depending on what’s in season or what I’m craving. You can easily customize to match your taste or dietary needs. The key is to keep the balance between sweet bananas, tart raspberries, and that rich chocolate.
- Variation: Sometimes, I swap dark chocolate chunks for white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier contrast. It’s a hit with the kids!
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut yogurt and a neutral oil instead of butter to make this bread dairy-free.
- Add Nuts: Toasted walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch—I sprinkle a handful into the batter before baking.
- Spice It Up: Cinnamon or a pinch of cardamom adds warmth to the loaf if you want a seasonal twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pan Ready
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I always spray my 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with cooking spray—this helps the bread release perfectly without sticking. Trust me, this little prep step saves you a lot of frustration and keeps your loaf looking pretty.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This ensures your rising agent is evenly distributed so your bread rises evenly and has a consistent crumb.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the sugar and softened butter at medium speed for about a minute until the mixture is fluffy and well combined. This step is important because well-creamed butter and sugar results in tender, airy bread.
Step 4: Add the Eggs, Bananas, Yogurt, and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so everything emulsifies properly. Then add your mashed bananas, yogurt, and vanilla extract, beating until just combined. The batter will smell incredible at this point!
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Mix-ins
Gently fold the flour mixture into your wet batter until it’s just moist — don’t over-mix or you risk a tough loaf. Next, toss your chocolate chunks in a tablespoon of flour before folding them in to help prevent sinking. Finally, very gently fold in your fresh raspberries so they don’t break apart too much.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and, if you want, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chunks and berries on top for a pretty finish. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool 15 minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here really pays off — the cooling helps the bread slice beautifully.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Use Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—black-spotted bananas are your best friend here for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Toss Chocolate in Flour: This simple trick keeps the chocolate chunks evenly distributed and prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
- Gentle Folding: Fold the raspberries in at the very end and with care to avoid turning them to mush in your batter.
- Test for Doneness: Start checking the loaf around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking, which can dry out the bread.
How to Serve Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

Garnishes
I love to sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top or spread a light schmear of softened butter or cream cheese when serving this bread. Fresh raspberries alongside make it feel extra special, especially if you’re serving it as a brunch centerpiece.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. On brunch days, I like to serve it alongside a simple green salad or some scrambled eggs to add a savory contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve turned slices into mini dessert towers by layering them with whipped cream and extra berries. You can also cut the bread into cubes and serve it with warm chocolate sauce for dipping—it’s unexpected and decadent!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, I wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, storing it in an airtight container in the fridge helps the bread stay fresh longer without getting dry.
Freezing
I slice the loaf before freezing to grab individual portions easily. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months and thaws quickly at room temp or in the microwave.
Reheating
To enjoy your Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread warm, I heat slices for about 15 seconds in the microwave or for a couple of minutes at 350°F in the oven. Adding a pat of butter or cream cheese right before serving takes it to the next level.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen raspberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen raspberries, but make sure to thaw and drain them well before folding into the batter to avoid excess moisture that can make the bread soggy.
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What type of chocolate works best?
I prefer dark chocolate chunks because their bittersweet flavor complements the sweet banana and tart raspberry perfectly, but semi-sweet or even milk chocolate can work if you prefer a sweeter bite.
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How do I know when the banana bread is done?
Insert a wooden pick or toothpick in the center of the loaf—if it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), the bread is ready.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, use flax eggs or another egg substitute, and replace yogurt with a dairy-free version.
Final Thoughts
This Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe has truly become my go-to when I want something comforting but a little different from classic banana bread. The fresh bursts of raspberry and those melty chocolate bits make it unforgettable. If you give it a try, I guarantee it’ll become a favorite in your rotation too—and you’ll feel proud baking something this delicious and easy. So, grab your ripe bananas and let’s bake some magic in your kitchen!
Print
Raspberry Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 slices
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Raspberry Dark Chocolate Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread combining ripe bananas, tangy yogurt, sweet raspberries, and rich dark chocolate chunks. Perfectly spiced and baked to golden perfection, this loaf is an irresistible treat for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks, tossed in 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the granulated sugar and room temperature butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 1 minute until well blended and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate Bananas, Yogurt, and Vanilla: Beat in the mashed bananas, plain yogurt, and vanilla extract until just blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients just until moist; be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Add Chocolate and Raspberries: Gently fold in the floured chocolate chunks first, then carefully fold in the fresh raspberries to avoid breaking them up. Optionally, sprinkle some additional chocolate chunks and raspberries on top for a beautiful presentation.
- Bake the Bread: Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Bread: Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For best flavor, use ripe bananas with brown spots as they are sweeter and more flavorful.
- Tossing the chocolate chunks in flour prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the bread during baking.
- Handle raspberries gently to avoid them turning the batter pink or crushing them completely.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for plain yogurt for a thicker texture and more protein.
- If you prefer a lower sugar option, reduce the sugar to ¾ cup without greatly affecting the texture.
- Store leftover banana bread tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg


