Double Chocolate Strawberry Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted & slightly cooled
• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
• 2 eggs, room temp
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 medium overripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream or greek yogurt, room temp
• 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed (don't pack it in)
• 1/2 cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cornstarch (optional)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped freeze-dried strawberries
• 4oz cream cheese, room temp (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)
• 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, room temp (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)
• 3/4 cup (90g) powdered sugar (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)
• ~1 tbsp finely crushed freeze-dried strawberry (adjust to taste) (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)
• Optional: chocolate drizzle/melted chocolate and a fresh strawberry for topping (for the strawberry cream cheese frosting)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line/grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
2. Whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar.
3. Mix in eggs, vanilla, mashed bananas, and sour cream/greek yogurt until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
5. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just combined. Don't over mix.
6. Fold in chocolate chips and chopped freeze dried strawberries gently.
7. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake for 50-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean/with a few moist crumbs. (Tent with foil for the last 10-15 minutes if the top is browning too much)
9. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Then, beat in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and crushed freeze dried strawberries.
10. Spread this over the completely cooled loaf.
11. Top with chocolate drizzle and a strawberry if you'd like.