January may be the prime month for resolutions, but with the cold winter weather (especially true for the MOV here lately), it’s also a perfect month for baking. True, we’ve been bombarded with holiday cookies and pies since October through December, but what about sweet breads? Ah ha, I’ve got your attention. I hereby present you with a banana bread recipe. But not just a basic banana bread, a CHOCOLATE banana bread.

If your resolution is to try new things (even things you don’t normally like), I challenge you to give this recipe a whirl. The banana taste is subtle and the melted chocolate chips are the added textural bonus. Grab a cold glass of milk, and you have the perfect dessert to savor in front of a warm, cozy fire. Enjoy!

Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 ripe bananas
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions

Heat oven to 350o F. Grease the bottom of an 8×4 loaf pan with butter.

Beat sugar, eggs, and oil in a large bowl at medium speed until combined. Tear bananas into thirds and add to bowl, along with vanilla. Beat at low speed until mostly smooth. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Gradually add to banana mixture and beat at low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spoon batter into pan. Bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
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