Banana Chocolate Chip Bar

Banana Chocolate Chip Bar.... I came across this bar recipe while looking on Tastespotting one day. The pictures were mouth watering, and I knew I had to try it. I really loved the idea of a Banana Chocolate Bar... I love banana bread, and sometimes I want something different. This was the perfect recipe to try out. Bars are wonderful....they are easy to make and versatile. You can serve it with a scoop of your favorite ice cream, take it to a potluck, grab a few for a picnic, have it as an afternoon snack, or share it with a friend.

I tried not to change too many things with the recipe, except that I used some ground oatmeal instead of the almond flour. I am sure the almond flour would have been great...except that I didn't have any on hand. Using oatmeal was just fine. Actually, we really liked it! Oh, I also added some orange peel:)...but that is totally optional. Since I had quite a bit of bananas sitting in my freezer, I doubled the recipe. I used a large cookie sheet (11x17). Not knowing if that size would be ok, I kept looking through the oven door. I was wondering if it would spill over as it baked! At one point, I panicked:)...I thought I would have a mess, but it was just right!

You can probably cut down on some of the sugar in the recipe, substitute some whole wheat, and omit the chocolate(but that would be a shame, 'cause bananas and chocolate go ever so well together:)!) Hope you too will enjoy this recipe...

You will need: adapted from eatingwelllivingthin blog. Makes 16 bars.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup ground oatmeal (or almond flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter
1 1/4 cups sugar( I think I will cut down on the sugar, next time)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas
1 cup chocolate chips

2-3 tsps grated orange zest(optional)
1/2-1 tsp almond extract (optional, but really goes well)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

1. Grind oatmeal in blender until fine. Don't worry too much if you can't get it extra fine...it will be ok. You should have a 1/2 cup ground oatmeal.

2. Coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with vegetable cooking spray( I don't use... but like to use parchment paper...so I won't have any surprises).
3. In a medium bowl combine the flour, ground oatmeal, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl cream together the butter and the sugar until fluffy.
5. Beat in the egg, vanilla, orange zest.

6. Add the mashed banana until well mixed.
7. Beat in the flour mixture just until incorporated.

8. Fold in the chocolate chips.

9. Pour batter into prepared pan. Batter is a bit thick, so spread it out evenly.

10. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden and moist crumbs adhere to a toothpick inserted in the middle.

Do not over-bake.