Chocolate-Glazed Banana Bread Crunchers
Transform your traditional banana bread into a delightful treat with these Chocolate-Glazed Banana Bread Crunchers! Originally inspired by a recipe from CD Kitchens, I have adapted it to my liking. This recipe yields two loaves that are baked, sliced, and then baked again, creating a crispy texture reminiscent of biscotti but lighter and less dense. After allowing them to dry and harden overnight, I topped these crunchy delights with a decadent chocolate glaze. Perfect for snacking, these treats combine the rich flavor of bananas with a sweet chocolate finish, making them irresistible. This recipe requires patience, but the results are well worth the wait!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Light Oil
1 cup (canola or vegetable oil)
Eggs
2 ((or 2 tbsp EnerG egg replacer))
Mashed Bananas
2 cups (ripe and well mashed)
Nuts
1/2 cup (roasted and chopped (optional, e.g., macadamia or walnuts))
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure vanilla extract)
Spelt Flour
3 1/4 cups (or unbleached all-purpose flour)
Baking Powder
3 3/4 teaspoons (freshly opened)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (freshly opened)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If using nuts, roast them in the oven for 7-10 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool.
2
Grease two medium loaf pans with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth and set aside.
4
In the same bowl or a separate one, chop the nuts of your choice into small pieces and set aside.
5
Combine the spelt flour, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor. Pulse until well mixed and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
6
In the food processor, combine the brown sugar and oil. Blend until smooth. Add the eggs (or egg replacer) and process again until fully combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
7
Add the mashed bananas to the mixture and pulse until just combined.
8
In the bowl with the dry ingredients, gently fold in the chopped nuts until they are coated with flour.
9
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread tough.
10
Divide the batter evenly between the two greased loaf pans.
11
Bake in the preheated oven for about 40-60 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Ovens may vary, so check the loaves for doneness after 40 minutes.
12
Once baked, lower the oven temperature to 200°F (93°C). Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for about 15 minutes then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
13
Ensure the loaves are completely cool before slicing them into approximately 1-inch thick slices, then cut each slice in half to create smaller pieces resembling biscotti.
14
Arrange the slices cut side down on a metal cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for an additional hour at 200°F (93°C), checking for desired crispiness; they may require longer. Exercise patience, as the texture improves with additional baking.
15
Once hard and crunchy, remove the slices from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
16
For the finishing touch, melt your favorite chocolate and drizzle or dip the cooled slices to coat them in chocolate. Allow the chocolate to set before storing.
17
Store the chocolate-glazed crunchers in an airtight container and enjoy these tasty snacks at any time!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chocolate-Glazed Banana Bread Crunchers?
They are a unique twist on banana bread where the loaves are baked, sliced, and then baked again to create a crispy, biscotti-like texture before being glazed in chocolate.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe was originally inspired by a version from CD Kitchens and adapted to include specific ingredients like spelt flour and a unique double-baking process.
How many loaves does this recipe produce?
This recipe yields two medium-sized loaves.
What is the texture of these crunchers compared to biscotti?
They are crispy and crunchy like biscotti but are generally lighter and less dense.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of spelt flour?
Yes, you can substitute the 3 1/4 cups of spelt flour with unbleached all-purpose flour.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar to provide a rich flavor.
What kind of oil should be used?
A light oil such as canola or vegetable oil is recommended for the best results.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
You can replace the 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons of EnerG egg replacer.
How many bananas do I need?
You will need enough ripe bananas to produce 2 cups of well-mashed fruit.
Are nuts required for this banana bread?
No, nuts are optional, but they add extra crunch and flavor if included.
Which nuts work well in this recipe?
Macadamia nuts or walnuts are excellent choices for this specific treat.
Should I roast the nuts before adding them?
Yes, roasting the nuts for 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit makes them more fragrant and golden.
What temperature is used for the first bake?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for the initial baking phase.
How do I prepare the loaf pans?
Grease two medium loaf pans with butter or cooking spray to prevent the bread from sticking.
Is a food processor necessary for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using a food processor to mix the dry ingredients and blend the wet ingredients for a smooth consistency.
How long does the initial baking take?
The loaves typically bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
What is the oven temperature for the second bake?
After slicing the loaves, the oven temperature should be lowered to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius).
How thick should I cut the slices for the crunchers?
Slices should be approximately 1-inch thick, and then each slice should be cut in half to resemble small biscotti.
How long do the slices need to bake a second time?
The slices should bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one hour, or until they reach the desired level of crispiness.
Can I glaze the crunchers while they are warm?
No, you should allow the slices to cool completely and harden, ideally overnight, before applying the chocolate glaze.
How do I apply the chocolate glaze?
Melt your favorite chocolate and either drizzle it over the cooled slices or dip them directly into the chocolate.
How should I store the finished Chocolate-Glazed Banana Bread Crunchers?
Store them in an airtight container to keep them crunchy and prevent them from becoming soft.
What is the importance of using fresh baking powder and soda?
Using freshly opened leavening agents ensures that the banana bread rises correctly during the first bake.
Why should I avoid overmixing the batter?
Overmixing the flour and wet ingredients can develop too much gluten, which makes the resulting bread tough.
Can I leave the bread to dry overnight?
Yes, allowing the crunchers to dry and harden overnight after the second bake improves their final texture.
Is this recipe suitable for snacking?
Yes, their crispy texture and sweet glaze make them a perfect snack for any time of day.
How long should the loaves cool before I slice them?
Let the loaves cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
What should I do if my crunchers aren't hard enough after one hour of second baking?
Continue baking at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until they are hard and crunchy, as oven times can vary.
What type of chocolate is best for glazing?
You can use any of your favorite melting chocolates, such as dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate.
Does this recipe require a lot of time?
Yes, the recipe requires patience due to the double baking and cooling steps, but the result is a unique, high-quality treat.