Moist Chocolate                Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease 2  (9x5)  loaf pans.

2 c. all purpose flour

1 1/3 c, granulated sugar

1/3 c. cocoa powder

Mix above, then add:

3/4 c. softened butter

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 t. vanilla

3 ripe bananas, mashed

1 t. baking soda mixed with 1/2 c. warm water

Mix with dry ingredients until combined.

Optional:  stir in  chopped, toasted nuts or chocolate chips 

Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  This batter also makes delicious muffins!  For muffins, reduce baking time to about 12 minutes.  When the bread is done, remove from oven and let sit on a cooling rack for 5 minutes before removing from pan.  Then loosen sides with a knife, and slip loaves from pans onto a wire rack to cool completely.  This bread is even better the second day, as the moistness increases!