Chapchar Kut Special: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with a Local Flavor Twist

Chapchar Kut is all about having fun after a long period of hard work and welcoming spring with music, food and of course sweets. While the traditional Chapchar Kut feasts have rice, meat and bamboo-based dishes, there’s always room for something sweet. If you are looking for a dessert that combines familiar flavors with a twist, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with a local touch is just what you need.

Banana based treats have always been a part of Indian households, from soft, jaggery sweetened appams to crispy banana fritters. But this banana bread takes it a step further by adding rich chocolate chips and a few ingredients that give it a local touch. Think of the deep jaggery caramel, the warmth of cardamom or the crunch of roasted sesame seeds – all which pairs beautifully with the moist chocolatey goodness of this bread.

How To Bake Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with a Local Flavor Twist

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (180g) atta
• ½ cup (60g) maida
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Wet Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
• ½ cup (120ml) butter or ghee (melted)
• ½ cup (100g) jaggery powder (or brown sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• ¼ cup (60ml) coconut milk (or regular milk)

Mix-ins:

• ½ cup (100g) chocolate chips (dark or milk)
• ¼ cup (40g) chopped roasted nuts (cashews, almonds, or walnuts)
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds or sesame seeds (for topping)

Method:

1. In a big bowl, sift together atta, maida, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cardamom powder.
2. Mix well and keep aside. In another bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
3. Add melted butter (or ghee), jaggery powder and vanilla extract. Whisk well.
4. Crack in the eggs one by one, whisking well after each addition. Add coconut milk and mix until smooth.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, fold gently with a spatula. Don’t overmix—just combine until no dry streaks are left.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips and chopped roasted nuts. Reserve some for topping.
7. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle poppy seeds and reserved chocolate chips and nuts on top.
9. Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Local Flavor Twists to Elevate Your Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Chapchar Kut

Use Jaggery Instead of Refined Sugar

Replace refined sugar with jaggery powder to get an earthy sweetness that is traditional in Indian sweets. Jaggery not only gives the bread a warm caramel like depth but also connects your dessert with the unrefined natural flavors of the festive season. To incorporate it, dissolve the jaggery in a little warm milk before adding to your wet ingredients.

Mix Whole Wheat Flour with Maida

For a wholesome bread with a soft crumb, mix whole wheat flour with maida. Whole wheat flour gives a nutty base and a heartier bite while maida makes the muffins light. Sift both the flours together to ensure they mix well and there are no lumps.

Add Coconut Milk for a Tropical Touch

Take your batter to the next level by replacing some of the regular milk with full fat coconut milk. Coconut milk adds a subtle tropical flavor and extra moisture to your bread. The natural creaminess of coconut milk pairs well with jaggery and bananas and gives the final product an indulgent festive feel that is seen in Indian desserts.

Add a Dash of Cardamom and Ginger

A teaspoon of cardamom powder is the classic way to add warmth and a hint of spice to any dessert. Add a small amount of freshly grated ginger or ginger powder as well. These spices will give a gentle kick that will balance out the sweetness of the bananas and jaggery.

Add Fresh Blueberries or Dried Raisins

While the original recipe might call for chocolate chips, consider folding in fresh blueberries or even dried raisins. Blueberries will give a tanginess that will cut through the richness of the sweetness, while raisins will add chewy sweetness.

Mix in Roasted Nuts for Crunch

Chopped roasted almonds, cashews or even peanuts will give a nice crunch and a nutty flavor that will complement jaggery and chocolate. Lightly roast the nuts to bring out their natural aroma and then fold them in just before baking.