What size loaf pan should I use?

I recommend an 8x4-inch loaf pan. It gives you a taller loaf with more rise than a 9x5-inch pan, which I prefer for this banana bread.

Why does this banana bread take longer to bake?

The cottage cheese and bananas add a lot of moisture, so this loaf needs 50 to 60 minutes in the oven compared to some of my other loaf recipes that need 45-55 minutes.

Cottage Cheese Banana Bread

Description

This Cottage Cheese Banana Bread is soft and loaded with mini chocolate chips in every slice. The blended cottage cheese adds a little protein boost and nobody will ever guess it’s in there!

Ingredients

Units

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour or oat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 medium overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
1 cup thick cottage cheese, blended until smooth
2 large eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more for topping

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides for easy lifting.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
Mash the bananas well in a separate bowl. Blend the cottage cheese until completely smooth, then add it to the bananas along with the eggs, maple syrup, butter, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir just until incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean and the top is golden. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent it with foil for the last 15 to 20 minutes.
Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment to lift the loaf onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Use an immersion blender or small food processor to blend the cottage cheese easily.
The cottage cheese keeps this loaf extra moist, so it slices much cleaner once fully cooled.
Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a bakery-style finish, or add more to the batter if you like it extra chocolatey.
This loaf takes a little longer to bake than most because of its higher moisture content.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 248
Sugar: 14g
Fat: 9g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 7g