Moist Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

Ingredients

• Ripe bananas (3-4, mashed)
• Unsalted butter (1/2 cup (1 stick), melted)
• Granulated sugar (1 cup)
• Large eggs (2, beaten)
• Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
• All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups)
• Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon)
• Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture if desired.
3. Add the melted butter, beaten eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix well until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing; a few lumps are okay.
6. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Slice and serve, optionally with a smear of butter or cream cheese for a delightful variation.