Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread 

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 3/4 cup sifted flour

2-3 ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt 

1/4 cup chocolate chips

optional: 

1/2 cup nuts, chopped (your choice - walnuts and pecans are good)

(you can also not add the chocolate chips and just add nuts, or not add either)

Cream together the butter and sugar, add eggs and beat well.  In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients, and add to the creamed mixture alternately with the mashed bananas.  Blend well after each addition.  Stir in chocolate chips and/or nuts.  Pour into a well-greased 9x5x3" loaf pan.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until done.  Done when cake tester, or butter knife, inserted into the center comes out clean.  Let sit in pan for 5 minutes, remove from pan and cool completely on rack.  

It's healthy if there is fruit in it, right? (wink wink)

I always make two loaves, partly because I always have enough over ripe bananas for two (I live in a house of fruit snobs and I can rarely eat fresh fruit, especially bananas) and partly because they go fast.  I was lucky to get a photo before Robert and the kids came over and grabbed the slices and by tomorrow evening both loaves will be gone. (Some will go with Robert for his breakfast, the kids will get some in their lunches, and it will probably be my breakfast too.)