Chocolate Banana Bread

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.

Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and melted butter to the mashed bananas. Mix well until combined.

Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

If using, fold in the chocolate chips gently into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula.

Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

Once baked, remove from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.