Chocolate Banana Bread

I LOVE chocolate - let me just get that out there right off the bat.  And in the world of me - there is no such thing as TOO MUCH chocolate.  (I can't even imagine what too much chocolate would even look like.)  Apparently though - not everyone in my household shares my chocolate addiction.  I was recently told (by my very own child!) that my Chocolate Banana Bread was TOO chocolaty.  Ummmm no.  (Now I'm starting to question whether she's learned anything that I've taught her.)   

This delectable bread is made with dutch process cocoa powder, has dark chocolate chips swirled into the batter and is topped with a spattering of semi sweet chocolate chips.  Too much chocolate?  I think not.  Just the right amount of rich, dark chocolate in my humble opinion.  

Chocolate Banana Bread

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 3 large brown bananas  
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted 
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided

​Stir together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. 

Mix together banana, oil, sugar, butter and vanilla. 

Stir dry ingredients into wet until just moist. 

Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. 

Pour batter into a greased 9x5 loaf pan. 

Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips over batter. 

Bake 1 hour at 350.

Let cool in pan 15 minutes before removing.

Slice when cool.

A whole lot of chocolate goodness packed into one compact little loaf.  One thin slice was all it took to give me my afternoon chocolate pick me up.  Oh, and a slice of this chocolate banana bread with a cup of decaf coffee is just about the most perfect after dinner treat.  I'm thinking this qualifies as a healthy dessert since it is made with bananas. LOL

Ciao!

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