Chocolate Cherry Banana Bread and How to Make Mini Loaves for Gift Giving

This chocolate cherry banana bread is moist, delicious and filled with sweet juicy cherries. I know it's technically banana bread, but it tastes more like chocolate cherry cake. Perfect for holiday brunch and gift giving. ​

Delicious as is or with a little slice of butter.

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How do you make mini loaves for gift giving?

If baking in smaller loaf pans, batter will fill approximately three to four small pans depending on size. Bake for 30-40 minutes, checking every 5 minutes to see if done after 30 minutes. You can check bread with a toothpick to see if done. Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean and top springs back when lightly pressed. ​

You can use small loaf pans, foil pans, or paper bakeware (bottom loaf pictured is baked in paper bakeware). Paper bakeware is easy to use and can go in the oven up to 400 degrees F. It is also freezer friendly and does not require greasing of the pan. 

Can you freeze chocolate cherry banana bread?

Yes, you can bake this bread ahead of time and freeze for later. This is a great strategy for gift giving. Stash some mini loaves in the freezer so you are prepared for the holiday rush. Banana bread will keep fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months. 

Here are some simple ideas for packaging mini loaves of bread for gifts. 

*Cookie box (Dollar Tree affiliate link) I bought this cookie box at Dollar Tree and it is the perfect size for my larger mini loaf that was baked in paper bakeware.
*Small gift bags
*Simple ribbon or bow
*For the farmhouse rustic look, tie up with twine and a gift tag
*Small thrift store baskets. I love thrift store and antique store baskets. They are great for gift giving and you can usually find them very reasonably priced. 

You might like this post I wrote about making homestead gift baskets. 

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Chocolate Cherry Banana Bread and Mini Loaves for Gift Giving
Ingredients:
1 1/2 C. (about 3) bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/2 C. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/4 C. granulated sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar or coconut sugar
1/4 C. honey
1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour 
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 C. cocoa powder
1/4 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C. frozen sweet cherries, coarsely chopped

1.  Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Butter a loaf pan.
2.  With a wooden spoon mix bananas, eggs, butter, vanilla, and almond extract in a mixing bowl.  
3.  Next stir in the sugars and honey.
4.  Next, stir in the dry ingredients, stirring until combined. (I always put the dry ingredients right on top of the batter and mix them together a bit before mixing the dry ingredients into the batter.)
5. Then stir in the chocolate chips and cherries. Batter will be thick.  
5.  Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 55-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and top springs back when lightly pressed. After 55 minutes, check every 5 minutes until done. 
6.  Cool  on a wire rack, then remove from pan.  Let bread cool completely before slicing.  

Mini Loaf instructions
If baking in smaller loaf pans, batter will fill approximately three small pans depending on size. Bake for 30-40 minutes, checking every 5 minutes to see if done after 30 minutes. You can check bread with a toothpick to see if done. Bread is done when toothpick comes out clean and top springs back when lightly pressed. 

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