Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (2024)

As I continue on my lifelong quest to be “skinny,” I’ve come to realize there are some things that I really cannot live without. Cheese and wine are a given. Although I can limit them (or even eliminate them) when I’m watching my intake of calories, I will never choose to give them up completely. Another can’t-live-without is bread… of all kinds. French bread, soft rolls, crusty baguettes and banana bread. And finally… I’ll never lose that irresistible craving for sweets, so I’ll need to continue to include a few sweets where I can- like in this Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (1)

The great thing about turning banana bread into dessert is that you can get a good deal of sweetness from the bananas themselves. Hang on to your bananas until they’re almost black. The sweetness of those ugly, black bananas will be a heartsong in your banana bread.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (2)

For the sweet chocolate-caramel touch in this bread, I used the Skinny Cow chocolates: Milk Chocolate Dreamy Clusters. Have you seen this product in the store? It’s available in the candy aisle, alongside treats that are infinitely more evil. Grab these instead. Only 120 calories for this packet of yummies. It totally hits the spot for a chocolate craving, and because it’s sealed into a packet, eating in moderation is something that’s taken care of for you!

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (3)

I chopped up the chocolates in 5 packets (there are 6 in the box) to include in this bread. The bread itself is made light by using less sugar and very ripe bananas, a tiny bit of butter + unsweetened applesauce, egg whites and light sour cream. The Milk Chocolate Clusters are the luxury piece of the pie here.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (4)

As in true food photographer fashion, a few pieces of chocolate added to the top of the batter is always great for visual appeal too.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (5)

I’m thinking this bread might be a fun gift for the Skinny Valentine in your life. You know… that Valentine who started a New Year’s Resolution and is actually sticking with it?

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (6)

See, I told you about that chocolate on top, didn’t I? When it’s scattered about like that, there’s a good chance you’ll get some in every bite. And that’s a very good thing.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (7)

I’ve included nutritional information in the recipe below for those who are wondering about calories or WW Points. I think it’s a pretty good treat for what you get… a nice slice of sweet banana bread with the bonus of added chocolate via the Skinny Cow brand.

And about that quest to be skinny… I’m making some good progress. I’ve been making good choices (like this bread!), changing up my workouts, and turning my Superwoman willpower on extra-high. I’ve learned that moderation is KEY, and elimination of favorite foods is impossible and not fun. I’ve learned that eating cheese and crackers at 5 o’clock every day is probably not a good idea. And I’ve learned that allowing myself a treat once in a while- like these Milk Chocolate Dreamy Clusters is perfectly okay. To me, they taste just as good as any chocolate-caramel candy bar in the checkout aisle! And although I really don’t believe that I’ll ever actually be “skinny,”… FEELING skinny is good enough for me.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (8)

Print Pin Save

No ratings yet

A lighter banana bread that's still a sweet indulgence!

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana bread, caramel, chocolate

Servings: 12 servings (1 slice per serving)

Calories: 229kcal

Author: RecipeGirl.com

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, soda and salt.

  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the sugars, butter and applesauce. Mix in the banana, egg whites, sour cream and vanilla. Blend in the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Stir in the chopped candy, reserving a few pieces to sprinkle on top.

  4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate pieces on top.

  5. Bake for 1 hour (checking at 45 minutes on how much the top has browned. Place a piece of foil loosely on top of the loaf if it has already browned nicely on top). At one hour, draw a toothpick or a sharp knife into the center of the loaf to check for doneness. It should come out fairly clean. If not, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until done.

  6. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 229kcal, Carbohydrates: 42g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 210mg, Potassium: 189mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 112IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 35mg, Iron: 1mg

Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Skinny Cow, whose products live in my house on a day-to-day basis. I’ve developed this recipe for Skinny Cow and received compensation to do so. All opinions shared about this product are my own.

Skinny Chocolate Caramel Banana Bread - Recipe Girl (2024)

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy to lose weight? ›

You may find banana bread delicious, but conventional banana breads tend to be high in added sugar, refined carbs, and calories. Thus, it's best to enjoy banana bread occasionally as part of a balanced, nutrient-dense diet.

What happens when you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Why is my banana bread still gooey after an hour? ›

Using a lot of bananas adds excess moisture, and there are two ways to get rid of it. You could either add more flour or increase the baking time.

What is the best bread to eat when trying to lose weight? ›

Like with all breads, a multigrain bread made with whole grains is better for weight loss than one made with white refined flour, but either multigrain bread or white bread can be a part of a weight loss diet plan when they're combined with other healthy foods and exercise.

Can I eat banana to lose belly fat? ›

Bananas are great belly fat-burning foods. Bananas when taken in moderation do not cause or increase belly fat. Bananas are versatile fruits that can be eaten to lose or maintain weight. Have it as a snack instead of a sugary option like cookies or pastries.

Can I leave banana bread out overnight to cool after? ›

How To Store Banana Bread at Room Temperature. If you're planning to eat your banana bread within three to four days, it can be left out at room temperature. To keep it fresh, place a paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container.

Will too much baking soda ruin banana bread? ›

Using too much baking soda or baking powder can really mess up a recipe, causing it to rise uncontrollably and taste terrible.

Why use mushy bananas for banana bread? ›

They need to be soft enough that they can seamlessly blend into the quick bread batter, leaving small pockets, rather than large chunks, of banana behind. And then there's the flavor.

Can I open the oven when baking banana bread? ›

It should come out clean or with a few “dry” crumbs. It should not be coated in wet or moist batter. Keep in mind that if you end up checking if the bread is done multiple times, opening and closing the oven will reduce the oven temperature and prolong the overall time needed to bake the banana bread.

Do you leave banana bread in the pan to cool? ›

Livestrong suggests allowing your banana bread to cool in its loaf pan for 15 minutes, as the brief "cooling period allows steam to condense, which makes the bread easier to remove from the pan." Then, while the bread is still warm, Allrecipes recommends transferring it to a cooling rack to fully reach room temperature ...

Are slimy bananas OK for banana bread? ›

The Science Behind the Banana Ripening Process

But, there is a limit. Black bananas or rotten bananas are a no-go. (Note that green bananas are also not a good choice for baking.) But those with slightly black peels and a little bit of excess liquid are perfect for turning into a loaf of banana bread magic.

Can dogs eat bananas? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bananas. It's tempting to share tasty fruit with your dog, especially when they're staring at you longingly. The good news is dogs can eat bananas in reasonable quantities as an occasional treat.

How black is too black for banana bread? ›

While it's okay if the banana peel is dark brown or even black, if the inside is too, then the fruit is beyond ripe and now on its way to rotten. Another sign that bananas have gone bad is if they start leaking any fluids. When in doubt, just toss the bananas out.

Is it OK to eat bread when losing weight? ›

Yes, you can eat bread while trying to lose weight.

There is no need to avoid it completely from your diet. Limit your intake of bread to 25 percent of your plate and enjoy it with vegetables to avoid overconsumption. The secret to losing weight is consuming fewer calories than you utilize during the day.

Is banana good for weight loss? ›

Bananas are a good source of fibre with a negligible amount of fat. Consuming high-fibre foods helps you stay full for longer and ultimately helps you consume fewer calories. Less fat content of bananas is another factor which makes them weight loss friendly.

What are the benefits of banana loaf bread? ›

Banana bread tends to have a high rate of protein which is beneficial to health. Protein is an essential nutrient needed for the growth, repair, and recovery of muscle. It also helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, satisfying a hungry appetite to prevent you from eating the full loaf of bread.

What is the lowest calorie bread for weight loss? ›

5 Healthiest Bread for Weight Loss – A Dietitian's Top Picks
  • Sara Lee 45-Calorie Whole Wheat. ...
  • Dave's Killer Bread Thin-Sliced Good Seed. ...
  • Old Thyme's 647 Bread Multigrain. ...
  • Food for Life Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread. ...
  • Carbonaut Low Carb Seeded Bread.
Jan 30, 2024

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lilliana Bartoletti

Last Updated:

Views: 5889

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lilliana Bartoletti

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 58866 Tricia Spurs, North Melvinberg, HI 91346-3774

Phone: +50616620367928

Job: Real-Estate Liaison

Hobby: Graffiti, Astronomy, Handball, Magic, Origami, Fashion, Foreign language learning

Introduction: My name is Lilliana Bartoletti, I am a adventurous, pleasant, shiny, beautiful, handsome, zealous, tasty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.