Chocolate Strawberry Banana Bread (Vg, Gf)

This is rich, moreish and super fudgy while being made from good-for-you ingredients, comes together in one bowl and will blow your socks off.

INGREDIENTS

For the Wet Mix:

1 tbsp ground chia or flaxseeds + 3 tbsp water

100g fresh strawberries (trimmed weight)

3 large, ripe bananas (300g in weight)

70g coconut sugar

80ml maple syrup

60g thick coconut yoghurt

60ml coconut oil, melted

60g runny, smooth sunflower seed butter

1 tsp vanilla essence

For the Dry Mix:

105g plain/GF plain flour

50g cocoa powder, plus extra

25g berry or chocolate protein powder

2 tbsp baking powder

1 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder

1 tsp tremella mushroom powder, optional

A pinch of salt

60g dark chocolate, chopped or chips

For the frosting:

200g thick coconut yoghurt

20g berry or vanilla protein powder

1 tbsp plant-based milk, if needed

2 tbsp freeze-dried strawberry powder

Chocolate covered strawberries

Fresh strawberries, halved

Sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 160Fan/180ºC and line a 9-inch loaf tin with parchment paper.

Whisk the chia seeds and water together to form a gel. Then slice the strawberries into quarters and toss with ½ tsp cocoa powder (or flour), and mash the banana till smooth with only small lumps.

In a large mixing bowl, add the banana, sugar, syrup, yoghurt, coconut oil, sunflower seed butter, vanilla and the chia gel. Whisk till smooth.

Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, protein powder and baking powder. Add the freeze-dried strawberry powder and salt and stir to a thick, smooth batter. Fold in the chocolate chips and tossed strawberries.

Spoon the batter into the tin and smooth over the top. Place in the middle of the oven to 50 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out basically clean. Don’t worry if the ends seem firmer, they will soften as the loaf cools.

Leave in the tin for 10 minutes then carefully lift out and cool fully on a wire rack.

While it is cooling, whisk together the yoghurt, protein powder, milk and strawberry powder till thick and smooth. Once cool, spread the frosting over the loaf and top with chocolate covered strawberries, fresh strawberries and sprinkles.