Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This recipe is one of my most favorite recipes of all time.  It makes me feel like I was when I grew up.  Like many families my parents were divorced and my grandmother lived with me, my dad and my brother and sister.  Looking back I didn't realize how good I had it when my grandmother lived with us.  She was so loving and would do anything for us without question. She worked hard like almost everyone in her generation.  She even helped weld ships during WWII.  I am very greatful to have seen her everyday, and to enjoy her great cooking.  It wasn't as healthy as we eat now days but it was good.  I remember on holidays she would make a dish for everyone, at times there would be 10 different dishes on the table.  I look back and wonder how she ever did it.  How did she have time to get it all done and still be able to enjoy the day.
So as I said earlier,  this is one of my favorites.

1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 large eggs, at room temp.
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (sometimes more or less, depending on my mood)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease your pan.  The recipe calls for a 9 x 5 loaf pan but I use a bundt pan.
Beat butter, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time until blended.  Beat in bananas and extract.   With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour just until blended.  Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.  Pour into prepared pan. 
Bake 60 to 65 minutes until a pick inserted comes out clean.  Cool in pan on rack 5 minutes before removing from pan to cool completely.

This recipe is so easy and my littlest guy who is 3 helps me make it all the time.  He just hates to wait for it to cook and cool before he eats it.  (We usually will make it for breakfast, but it makes a great desert  or snack for the little ones.)
I hope you enjoy it.  Try it and let me know if you liked it.