Chocolate-Bottom Banana Squares

Description: Chocolate swirl banana bread squares topped with chocolate chips

Yield: 24 squares

Instructions:

1. In mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg, vanilla, and bananas, beating thoroughly.

2. In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, baking powder, and salt. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.

3. Divide batter in half. Add the cocoa to one portion of the batter. Spread that portion in the bottom of a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Spoon remaining batter on top, swirling gently with butter knife if desired, and sprinkle with chocolate chips.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until batter tests done with a toothpick or fork. Cool and cut into 24 squares.

This recipe was so, so simple! It turned out great. I've never really made any sort of banana bread before-- I usually leave that to my mom, because she is the goddess of any sort of dessert bread. But, I was really pleased with myself. For those who don't know, I'm sort of just transitioning over into baking. Luckily I have my mom there to help me when I need her, and she is more than happy to take over stirring if she realizes I'm going to slow, which I usually am, because I have a very short attention span. So, thank you mom!

But back to the banana bread. I found the recipe at Tammy's Recipes, thank god! But, one thing I noticed once I was spreading the mixture into the pan, was that there isn't a lot to work with. I used the right size of pan, but I felt myself barely covering the bottom layer with the top layer and when it was done cooking, the whole thing looked like mostly a chocolate banana bar.

All bad parts aside, this was absolutely delicious. My dad and sister both thought there were too many chocolate chips (despite the fact that I followed the recipe and only used one cup). Believe me, if I had it my way, it would have a lot more. And between you and me, nothing can have too much chocolate, am I right?

I'm off for now. Happy baking!

TTYS!

Jordan