Cherry Chocolate Almond Banana Bread

What I love most about baking is you can have a base of a recipe and make hundreds of variations of that recipe. This is what has happened with this grain-free banana bread. This one is a chocolate cherry almond variation w/ a quick, simple, and homemade cherry jam, recipe and photo is posted below

Cherry Chocolate Almond Banana Bread

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients: banana, coconut oil, eggs, honey, vanilla extract, coconut flour, baking soda, salt, {optional: almonds, cacao nibs or chocolate chips, or almond extract}

Whisk or blend together:

• 3 ripe, mashed bananas

• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil {or butter}

• 6 eggs

• 1-4 Tbsp honey {depending on sweetness/ripeness of bananas and personal preference}

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2/3 Tbsp almond extract

Mix separately:

• 1/2 cup coconut flour

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda

• pinch of salt

Then add:

• 2 Tbsp cacao nibs or 1/4 cup chocolate chips

• 1/2 cup chopped or slivered almonds

• 1/2 cup halved cherries {if using frozen allow to defrost and strain extra liquid}

Add everything together then pour into a loaf pan and cook at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until a knife/toothpicks comes out clean

For a regular banana bread recipe omit:

• almonds, cacoa nibs, and almond extract

And add:

• 1 Tbsp cinnamon

Optional: 1/3 cup walnuts, 1/4 cup raisins or dates

Don't be afraid to add other things or play around with the recipe.  
That is what makes baking so much fun!

If you have been following me for awhile then you probably have seen this recipe on my pancakes as a cherry syrup, but it is easily made into a jam and was delicious on this banana bread 

Cherry Jam

Ingredients: cherries {I used frozen}, water, and stevia {or alternative sweetener}

Heat up on the stove until soft:

 • 1/2-1 cup cherries

Place the cherries in the blender and blend. Add enough water to blend the cherries. Return back to the stove and simmer until thickened.  Then add a few drops of stevia or alternative sweetener.  You can use warm or place into the fridge and use like a jam when cooled.

If you want more of a cherry syrup then don't simmer as much.

There you go. Simple, delicious jam.  Can be made with any other fruit!

Quotes from those who have tried this recipe ❤

~ It came out yummy!! I love your recipes! ~