Chocolate Banana Bars

Hello!These bars are most definitely for the banana lovers. Rich with banana flavor and combined with gooey chocolate chips, these bars are basically a dessert form of my favorite breakfast treat, banana bread. I love how they are a new take on blondies, because really, you do need to switch it up every once in a while, yes?! They do not come out as thick as one would expect, but that doesn’t diminish how tasty they are {especially when served with a big glass of milk}. Finally, remember that it’s important to let the bars cool completely so that they don’t break in half. Do that, and you should be good to go!

Chocolate Banana Bars Adapted from Jennifer Chong

ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

to make

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Using an electric mixer, combine the bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Once mixed, add in the remaining ingredients, excluding the chocolate.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
4. Grease an 8-by-8 inch baking pan.
5. Pour batter into pan, and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the bars are firm and are a dark golden brown on top.
7. Let cool before cutting into pieces, and enjoy!

Have a terrific rest of your evening!

B

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Hi!

With the abundance of leftover Easter candy and goodies I ate this past week, homemade baked goods are far from my mind. Hopefully, when I am once again in the baking mood, I can whip up this delicious banana bread once again! I made this recipe a few weeks ago, and I was surprised to find out how much I enjoyed it. Double chocolate desserts and breakfast foods, whether it’s muffins, cookies, or bread, tend to be rich and instantly filling. This was the case here, but with a glass of milk and some fresh fruit on the side, it worked as a lovely breakfast treat. Before putting the pan in the oven, I sprinkled some more chocolate chips on top, because one, you can never have too much chocolate, and two, it added a nice finishing touch to the bread. Chocolate and bananas have never tasted so good :)

Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup chocolate chips

to make

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl. Combine the bananas with the melted butter.
3. Add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla to the mixture.
4. Slowly mix the wet ingredients with the baking soda, salt, cinnamon, flour, and cocoa powder, taking care not to over mix.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Pour the batter into the pan.
7. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes; a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
8. Let the bread cool in the pan for fifteen minutes before letting it cool on a wire rack.
9. Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Have a terrific night!
Bella

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hi friends! If you follow Ciao Bella, you will notice a post went out before it was ready. Sorry about that! :)

Hi!

Chocolate Chip Cookies are a classic. Seriously, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think “cookie?!” :) But even classics deserve an upgrade, so I loved the idea of trying out banana in them! Lucinda Scala Quinn, who is the amazing cook behind the book, Mad Hungry, came up with the healthy addition of bananas. It only makes sense because chocolate and bananas are a winning combination. They taste just like banana bread, and make a perfect snack and/or dessert. Just don’t be alarmed when your cookie dough seems too soft to work out; they will come out just fine.

Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies Adapted from Mad Hungry Cravings by Lucinda Scala Quinn; recipe can be found here.

ingredients

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup and two tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup and two tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips

to make

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
2. With an electric mixer, combine the butter, sugars, and egg.
3. Add in the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Mix in the banana and chocolate chip by hand.
5. Grease two baking sheets.
6. Drop the batter into four rows of four.
7. Bake for ten minutes, switching the sheets halfway through.
8. Let cool and enjoy!

Have a wonderful evening!