Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

With temperatures barely making it to positive digits today, it seemed like the perfect day to stay in sweatpants and bake something. I decided it was a chocolate chip banana bread kind of day. Banana bread, like apple pie, is not only a delicious treat for the mouth, but the nose as well. My whole house is filled with comforting banana bread aromatherapy. If looking at this doesn't make you feel instantly warmer, then you need to make this yourself to feel the warm comfort.

1 3/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs, slightly broken

1 cup mashed bananas (2 to 3)

chocolate chips (optional)

Sift flour, add baking powder, baking soda and salt, sift again. In a large bowl, cream shortening and add sugar gradually and beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs and mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients alternating with the mashed bananas, stirring enough to combine thoroughly. Do not over beat. Turn into greased loaf pan and bake in 350 degree oven about one hour.

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