Chocolate Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas, easily mashable
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Grease the inside of a 5x9-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. Set a rack in the center of the oven, then heat it to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Peel the ripe bananas, then turn them into a smooth purée with a blender, food processor, or fork. You should end up with 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups of banana purée.
3. Spoon the banana purée into a large bowl. Add the melted butter and stir it through. Mix in the brown sugar and salt, then whisk until the brown sugar clumps loosen up. Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract and stir again.
4. In another bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and allspice with some enthusiasm.
5. Add the dry mixture to the banana mixture, stirring only until it disappears into the batter. Fold in the chocolate chips.
6. Scrape the batter into the buttered loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour. Since the chocolate chips soften and melt into the loaf, a skewer or tester can be tricky here. Instead, lightly press the top in the center with your finger; if it feels fairly set and springs back after you lift your finger, you are in good shape.
7. Take the loaf out of the oven and leave it in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully turn it out onto a rack and let it cool all the way. Use a serrated bread knife for slicing.