TJ Norris’s Aunt B’s Chocolate Banana Bread (or Muffins)

Ingredients: Makes a single 8″ loaf

– 1 stick unsalted butter
– 1 cup of granulated sugar (substitute 1/3 cup honey + 1/3 cup maple syrup if preferred)- 2 large eggs
– cooking spray (olive oil style is best)

– 1/4 cup of milk (any style, nut milk can be used)
– 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
– 3 full size bananas (extra ripe)
– 1/2 of a cup of dark chocolate chips
– (optional) 1/4 cup of lightly toasted walnuts, pecans or almonds (finely chopped)

– 2 cups all purpose flour (you could do half/half with almond flour if you have it)
– 1 teaspoon of baking soda

– 1/4 of a teaspoon salt (regular table salt works best)
– (optional) 1/4 cup apple sauce

Prep:
– heat oven to 350°F
– temper butter or melt in microwave and have ready to the side
– mash-up bananas and put to the side (texture is up to you)

Instructions

– best to line loaf pan with parchment paper + spray w/light cooking spray (unless you have a silicone loaf pan – easiest)
– combine butter + sugar in a bowl (medium to large) with a whisk or big ole fork ’til consistency is a lil fluffy

– add eggs, one at a time, until smooth
– then add the vanilla and milk (not necessarily in that order)
– whisk the bananas into the batter (add apple sauce – optional – for moistness and a touch of fruit/sweet)

– use spatula to add the salt, flour and baking soda (just ’til flour is no longer visible)
– fold the chocolate chips and nuts (if desired) into the larger mix, do this slowly to incorporate
– now you can pour the whole batter into the loaf pan as evenly and smoothly as you can
– pop in the oven for about one hour – do a toothpick test to double-check its ready – but don’t over cook (for moist consistency)
– cool on a rack for 10-15 minutes

– gently take loaf from pan, let sit for 5-10 addtl mins (note this is tasty when fairly warm)
– cut into slices and serve with a generous dollop of whipped cream (if desired)