Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate Banana Bread

     I just had to share this super yummy banana bread recipe. Not only does it help me get rid of those over ripe bananas that I constantly seem to have it was a very moist and a delicious way to start my day. I also know I've shared a few banana bread recipes, but this one is the bomb.

     What two better things to put together than chocolate and bananas? Next to peanut butter and chocolate nothing. Right? The bananas help keep this bread moist and the chocolate makes it almost addictive. My whole house smelled like chocolate cookies when I baked it. In fact when my daughter came home late, late that night she said she could smell it the minute she walked in the door and just had to have some.

     I've been eating it every day for breakfast, hence the less than half a loaf left on the platter. (I've gotta remember to start taking a pic right away before my masterpieces are all eaten.)  I feel like I'm cheating a little when I eat this for breakfast, but I know that at least it's somewhat healthy. The recipe was originally tagged as a dessert, but I feel like banana bread should be eaten as breakfast, even if it does have chocolate in it lol.

     With this recipe I could see making muffins with the batter. It would really be like eating a chocolate cupcake in the morning, but I could think of worse things to eat. Hey you could even pass these off as cupcakes if you put a little frosting on them. Hmmm, that's a thought.

     The recipe did call for good-quality cocoa powder. I used the cocoa powder that I get from Aldis and it tasted fabulous. In fact most of my baking supplies are from Aldis. I just can't pass up the great prices on baking supplies when my products still look, taste and smell delicious.

     Give this one a try. I'm sure your family will love just as much as mine.

Chocolate Banana Bread
3/4 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 Cup mashed bananas (around 2-3 medium bananas)
1/2 Cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/4 Cups cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, beat together sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add the mashed bananas, sour cream and vanilla extract, and stir until smooth and creamy-looking.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until  just barely combined. Fold in chocolate chips, if using.
4. Bake in preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes. Bread is done when the top is firm to the touch and toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before unmolding and slicing.

Recipe by http://www.crumbblog.com