Cast Iron Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Did you know that the best banana bread is made in a cast iron loaf pan? This cast iron banana bread with walnuts and chocolate chips is moist on the inside and crisp on the top: the perfect breakfast or side dish.

The steps for baking bread in cast iron are not much different than baking in a loaf pan. The thing to watch for is the cooking time. Banana bread in cast iron can be a bit more forgiving on cook times and oven temperature but may take more time overall to cook through.

You’ll tend to get a more even cook, and the end result, the sides of the bread, will be softer, even if it gets a little overcooked.

Before making this cast iron banana bread recipe, be sure to use a loaf pan. Banana bread can be made in a cast iron skillet or even a dutch oven like this garlic bread recipe, but the cook times will be totally different.

For more on baking in a cast-iron skillet, check out this pizookie recipe or these double chocolate chip skillet brownies.

Chocolate Chip Walnut Banana Bread

Now, a simple banana bread is good; in fact, many surveys rank banana bread as the number 1 most popular bread in the U.S.

However, I prefer to make it a little different with chocolate chips and walnuts as a deliciously easy breakfast that the whole family can enjoy. Or bring it to your next event, where it’s sure to be a hit.

The combination of chocolate chips and crushed walnuts in the banana bread adds so much extra flavor, but to make it a little healthier, if, say, serving for breakfast, simply leave out the chocolate chips.

You could also substitute the brown sugar for coconut sugar. Nothing else in the recipe will need to be changed, and it will still taste delicious.

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How to Make Cast Iron Banana Bread

Choosing the ingredients:

• Flour
• Eggs
• Butter
• Bananas
• Brown Sugar (substitute for coconut sugar)
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Heavy whipping cream
• Chocolate chips
• Walnuts

Supplies

Cast Iron Loaf Pan

Hand Mixer

Banana Bread Instructions

Add the dry ingredients, except for brown sugar, to a small mixing bowl. Mix the flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg until combined and set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, add brown sugar, vanilla, whipping cream, butter (softened), mashed bananas, and eggs. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, continuing to mix with the hand mixer. Once everything is well combined, add the chocolate chips and walnuts, give them a quick swirl with the hand mixer, or stir in with a spatula.

Finally, grease a cast iron loaf pan with coconut oil or preferred oil of choice. Pour the dough into the loaf pan, then transfer to a preheated 350°F oven on the center rack for about 60-80 minutes.

Baking time will vary by oven. Keep an eye on the bread, and after about 55 minutes, if a knife stuck in the middle of the bread still comes out with dough, cover with aluminum foil to keep the top from overcooking. It may take up to an hour and 15 minutes to cook through.

Like all bread, there is a fine line between undercooked and overcooked. So keep a close eye on it after that 55-minute mark and pull it out of the oven as soon as a knife comes out clean.

Bananas for banana bread

The riper the banana, the better. The bananas play a crucial role in sweetening the bread. Frozen bananas will also work well.

To thaw frozen bananas, microwave for about a minute or until they can be mashed up with a fork.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You’ll find a number of healthy breakfasts here, including eggs in a bagel and omelets to ensure you’re starting your day with some proper nutrition.

Easy skillet breakfast recipes

If you’re new to cooking with cast iron or just looking for new meal ideas, check out some of these recipes below. They are simple, tasty, and family-friendly.

• Cast iron breakfast casserole
• Ham and cheese quiche
• French toast casserole
• Dutch baby pancakes
• Honey butter biscuits
• Lemon glaze zucchini bread