Banana Bread has really had its moment in the sun over the past year, but there are few things more delicious than a fresh slice of homemade vegan banana bread fresh out of the oven. We could never get tired of it, especially when it’s so easy to refresh a favorite recipe by adding in fun new flavors and mix-ins. A classic banana bread is delicious too, but we made it dairy-free and jazzed up this version with lots of chocolate in the form of our Cacao Calm Plant-Based Collagen Boost Hot Cocoa Blend + ashwagandha and chocolate chunks, as well as a generous handful of crunchy walnuts to spice it up a little! Who wouldn't want a sweet treat plus a collagen boost?
This delicious vegan chocolate banana bread loaf could honestly be considered cake, it’s so moist and chocolatey, but still made with good-for-you ingredients like oat flour, coconut sugar, and contains all the skin-boosting ingredients of our Cacao Calm Plant-Based Collagen Boost.*
Both cacao and ashwagandha have mood-boosting benefits, so eating this banana bread is actually doing yourself a favor.* Cacao comes from the same plant as chocolate, theobroma cacao, but is processed differently to retain more nutrients. It is an excellent source of nutrients including healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and proteins. Cacao also contains a high level of antioxidants (polyphenols and flavanols) which have been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and improve overall well-being.* This powerful little fruit (yes- chocolate is a fruit!) also contains high levels of alkaloids, which are naturally occurring compounds found in plants that send signals to the brain which can mimic the effects of serotonin and trigger positive emotions.* So it’s no joke that eating chocolate really can make you happier!*
Ashwagandha, on the other hand, is an adaptogenic herb traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. Adaptogens can help the body manage stress and maintain balance by mediating your body’s stress “baseline.”* Ashwagandha specifically has been shown to promote a sense of calm by blocking stress pathways in the nervous system*. Our Cacao Calm Plant-Based Collagen Boost blend contains organic KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract, which is the most potent form available.
We can almost guarantee that digging into a slice of this fluffy, chocolatey banana bread will leave you feeling great.
Looking for more beauty-boosting recipes? Check out a few of our favorites!
Vegan Collagen Boost Banana Bread
Chocolate Superfood Rice Crispie Treats
Double Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oats
Ingredients:
Wet:
3 bananas, very ripe
1/3 cup apple sauce
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs (sub flax eggs for vegan recipe- 2 tbs ground flax mixed with 6 tbsp water, mix well and allow to thicken until a gel-like consistency forms)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup coconut sugar
Dry:
1 cup oat flour
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup cacao powder
2 scoops Copina Co. Cacao Calm Plant-Based Collagen Boost
½ cup chopped walnuts*
½ cup dark chocolate chunks*
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mash bananas well. Add all wet ingredients to a medium bowl.
In a separate large bowl, whisk dry ingredients together except for walnuts and chocolate chunks.
Slowly fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, making sure to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
Once well-mixed, stir in chocolate chunks and walnuts. It will likely be runnier and more of a cake batter consistency - this is ok!
Transfer batter to loaf pan. Top with more chocolate chunks, as desired.
Bake for about 45-50 minutes, checking regularly once 45 minutes is reached. You may need to cover the top with foil to prevent browning.
Insert a toothpick or knife into the center to check for doneness. It should come out cleanly or with only a few crumbs.
Let cool before slicing and enjoy!
