BEST EVER BANANA BREAD

I know no one needs another banana bread recipe, but this one is worth trying. I go between several recipes, forgetting which one was the "best", but this is the one I made today. I hate banana bread that has nuts or is gooey so I have been adding cocoa to the mix, which not only dries it a bit, but makes it seem like a treat as well. The other thing I like to do is toast the banana bread and spread almond or peanut butter on it. It is a tasty combination of flavor favorites. That takes it beyond something your grandma serves at a luncheon to a more delicious level. Kids really like the banana, chocolate and peanut butter combination.

Chocolate Banana Bread

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

3 cups mashed ripe bananas (6 bananas)

4 eggs, well beaten

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa (optional)

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries or chocolate chips (optional, if not adding cocoa)

Preheat oven to 350. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add bananas and eggs and beat until well mixed. Mix dry ingredients and blend with banana mixture, but do not overmix. (Fold in blueberries if using). Pour into 2 lightly greased loaf pans. Bake 55 - 60 minutes. Test for doneness and cool on rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans.