Banana-Chocolate Chip Bars

So I had some overripe bananas on my counter, and my usual mantra is "when life gives you overrripe bananas, make banana bread." But I was a little bored of banana bread, so I consulted my Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook (a gift from Christmas past, courtesy of our Mether). Even with all of the online recipes sites, I still look to this book quite often for inspiration and great recipes. Using my reference skills I looked to the index for "banana" and what did I find but a wonderful recipe for these tasty treats. As luck would have it, I had all ingredients on-hand except for the optional walnuts (although next time I'll make sure to have these too), so I gave it whirl!

Ingredients

• 3/4 C butter or margarine, softened
• 2/3 C granulated sugar
• 2/3 C packed brown sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1 C mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 C all-purpose flour
• 1 6 oz package (1 C) semisweet chocolate pieces...or more if you are so inclined
• 2/3 C chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan; set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the butter or margarine w/ an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt; beat till combined. Beat in the egg, bananas, and vanilla till combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the electric mixer (if you have a KitchenAid, no problem!) Stir in the remaining flour. Stir in chocolate chips and if desired, nuts.
3. Spread the dough in the prepared baking pan. Bake 25 minutes or until golden.
4. Cool lightly and cut into bars. Makes 36 reasonably sized bars or fewer Markle-size bars.