My daughter Megan helps test out these recipes

2.      Chocolate Banana Bread

(Found at Money Saving Mom, via Joy of Baking)

· 3/4 cups flour

· ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

· 1 cup sugar

· 1 teaspoons baking powder

· ¼ teaspoon baking soda

· ¼ teaspoon salt

· 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

· 1 stick butter, melted and cooled

· 3 ripe bananas, mashed well

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Stir the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. Carefully fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 65 minutes until the bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

(Note: I made this bread in one loaf pan, as the recipe recommends, but the top of my loaf was still a bit doughy even after baking for longer than the recipe instructs. It might be worth splitting the batter into two loaf pans to help with the baking process.)

3.      Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Found at AllRecipes.com)

· 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

· 2 teaspoons baking powder

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies: Finished Product

· 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

· 1 cup white sugar

· 2/3 cup butter, softened

· 2 eggs

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· 1 cup mashed bananas

· 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda, and set aside.

Cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Mix in the mashed bananas. Add the flour mixture, and stir until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.