Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1/2 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
3 large, VERY ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips*
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 x 5- inch loaf pan.

Beat butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time until blended.  Beat in bananas and vanilla.  With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until a pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on rack for 5 minutes before removing from pan to rack to cool completely.

*Try it with peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips or a combination of different flavors.