Chocolate Banana Bread

I know you've all been wondering "when is Shel gonna share another twist on banana bread?"  Wonder no more!  Always when I think of banana bread (which is always when my bananas start to turn too brown) I am thinking about a new and different twist on the traditional.  This one is so good with the addition of chocolate in two forms, cocoa and chocolate chips!  The really cool thing is the chocolate doesn't totally overpower the banana flavor!  I hope you enjoy!

Chocolate Banana Bread (adapted from babble.com)

1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 c. sugar
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
3 large bananas, mashed
1 3/4 c. white whole wheat flour (can also use all purpose)
1/2 c. cocoa powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cinnamon
3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350.  Spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray and set aside.  Pour the cooled butter into a large bowl and whisk in the sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.  Stir in the mashed bananas until smooth (or as smooth as you want it to be.)  Fold in the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and cinnamon until combined.  Add the mini chocolate chips and stir to combine.  Pour into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool the bread for 10 minutes in the pan then turn onto a wire baking rack to cool completely.  

12 servings (295 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com