Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Banana Bread

Red Velvet Banana Bread is a combination of classic banana bread and everyone’s favorite cake, red velvet, topped with thick cream cheese icing—swoon!

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This treat combines the moistness of banana bread with the rich red velvet flavor, and of course, plenty of chocolate chips. Red Velvet Banana Bread, FTW!

It’s like your favorite pound cake and banana bread had a deliciously red baby! Ok, maybe that’s taking it a bit far, haha!

I first made this recipe last year for Valentine’s Day, and it was such a big deal that my family keeps asking for it.

The vibrant red color makes it perfect for special occasions, but honestly, it’s so tasty you’ll want to make it all year round. That’s how you know you’ve got a keeper!

Plus, it’s a great treat to share as a holiday gift—just wrap a cooled loaf in clear plastic wrap, tie it with a ribbon, and add a cute gift tag. Your friends and kids’ teachers will love it!

So grab your loaf pan and let’s get baking! Trust me, this bread is a delicious way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter.

And who doesn’t love an excuse to eat more chocolate? Jump right into this recipe for Red Velvet Banana Bread!

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP RED VELVET BANANA BREAD:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• DO I HAVE TO ADD CHOCOLATE CHIPS?
• CAN I USE A DIFFERENT GLAZE?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Banana Bread

1. Unique Flavor Combination: The mix of sweet bananas, rich cocoa powder, and tangy cream cheese icing creates an irresistible flavor.
2. Easy to Make: Simple steps and everyday ingredients mean you can whip this up without any fuss.
3. Versatile Treat: Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, and great for gifting during holidays.

• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Mashed bananas
• Eggs
• Sour cream
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Kosher salt
• Cocoa powder
• Red food coloring
• Milk chocolate chips

For the Cream Cheese Icing:

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Add in the vanilla and bananas and mix until combined.
4. Add in the eggs one at a time.
5. Last, add the sour cream until everything is well combined.
6. Mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder in a separate bowl.
7. Slowly fold this into the wet mixture until there are no lumps, saving about one tablespoon of the dried mix.
8. Add the food coloring to the batter and mix well.
9. Toss the chocolate chips in the remaining dry ingredients and fold them into the batter.
10. Spoon the mixture into a 9×5 prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top.
11. Bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
12. Let cool on a wired rack for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the loaf pan and set it directly on the rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Icing

1. While the bread is cooling, make the icing by creaming the cream cheese in a medium-sized bowl with a hand or stand mixer until smooth.
2. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time, then the milk and vanilla until smooth and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
3. When the bread is cooled, pour the icing on top and serve immediately.

DO I HAVE TO ADD CHOCOLATE CHIPS?

No, you don’t have to add chocolate chips if you prefer a simpler bread.

However, the semi-sweet chocolate chips add a super yummy chocolate burst that complements the red velvet flavor perfectly.

Feel free to adjust the amount or omit them based on your taste.

CAN I USE A DIFFERENT GLAZE?

Absolutely! While the cream cheese icing is delicious, you can drizzle the bread with white chocolate or a simple powdered sugar glaze.

You could even skip the glaze altogether—the bread is moist and flavorful on its own.

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ANY ADDITIONS?

Banana bread is all about adding things.

I think nuts would go especially well with this one.

Totally up to you though!

• Swirl in Nutella for an extra chocolatey kick.
• Add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch.
• Sprinkle cinnamon into the batter for warmth.
• Mix in dried fruits like cranberries or raisins.
• Top with shredded coconut before baking.
• Include a teaspoon of instant coffee to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Add a little bit of almond extract for a nutty aroma.
• Drizzle caramel sauce over the icing.
• Sprinkle coarse sugar on top for sparkle.
• Make mini loaves for individual servings.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

Feel free to go crazy with it if that’s what you’re up for.

Let me know in the comments how this turns out for you!

• Sour cream: Use Greek yogurt for a similar texture.
• Milk chocolate chips: Substitute with semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips.
• Butter: Replace with vegetable oil for a moist texture.
• All-purpose flour: Use whole wheat flour for a heartier bread.
• Red food coloring: Leave it out for traditional banana bread or use natural beet juice.
• Brown sugar: Swap with coconut sugar or granulated white sugar.

Refrigerator: Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in clear plastic wrap or place slices in a Ziploc bag.

Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Freezer: Wrap slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag.

Store for up to three months.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

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This Red Velvet Banana Bread is a perfect treat that’s sure to become one of your favorite recipes.

I think red velvet is the perfect compliment to this bread that we all love.