Got a serious sweet tooth and trying to stick to your fitness goals? Cheat-day cravings can make a decadent dessert hard to resist, but making it at home gives you more control over the ingredients and portions. With the right recipe, you can enjoy something indulgent while being a little more mindful of what goes into it, rather than reaching for a store-bought treat.
If you’re craving something warm, gooey and chocolate-loaded, this could be just the dessert you need. Aathira Sethumadhavan, a certified nutritionist and chef known for creating flavour-packed, calorie-conscious recipes, has shared her recipe for brown butter chocolate banana bread – a decadent homemade dessert that is perfect for satisfying those cheat-day sweet cravings.
In an Instagram video shared on October 4, the nutritionist describes the dish as, “Cheat day done right! Warm, gooey, chocolate-loaded banana bread with nutty brown butter, a swirl of nut butter and a caramelised banana top. These are the calories that aren’t wasted. Every bite is totally worth it!”
Check out the full recipe below!
Ingredients (serves 12)
For the banana bread
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (300 g)
- ½ cup butter, browned and slightly cooled (115 g)
- 2 eggs (100 g)
- ½ cup soft brown sugar (100 g)
- ¼ cup white sugar (50 g)
- 1 tsp vanilla essence (5 ml)
- ¼ cup milk (60 ml)
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour (190 g)
- 1½ tsp baking powder (6 g)
- A pinch of salt
- ¾ cup chocolate chunks, a mix of dark and milk chocolate (120 g)
For the topping
- 3 tbsp nut butter of your choice (48 g)
- 2 bananas, halved lengthwise (200 g)
- 1 tbsp butter (14 g)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (12 g)
Method
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fragrant. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Add the mashed bananas, browned butter, eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla essence and milk to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Sift in the flour and baking powder, add a pinch of salt and gently mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the banana bread soft.
- Gently fold the chocolate chunks into the batter, reserving a few for the top if desired.
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat and add the brown sugar. Place the banana halves cut-side down and cook for two to three minutes, until golden and caramelised.
- Transfer the batter to a greased baking dish and spread evenly. Dollop the nut butter over the surface and swirl it through the batter using a knife or skewer. Arrange the caramelised banana halves on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for approximately 25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Approx. nutrition (per serving of 100 g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fat: 16 g
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
