Banana Chocolate Brownies

These Banana Chocolate Brownies are amazing – trust me I know.  I’ve made them a few times now as I lost the recipe I scribbled down while I was making them the first time, so I had to make them again to make sure I had remembered it correctly.  Simon took the second batch to work where they were a huge hit, and I received some very complimentary feedback.  The recipe is pretty easy to make and the banana adds a delicious flavour twist to your traditional brownie.  I think making this recipe is my most best baking discovery so far this year.

Ingredients:
175g dark chocolate
175g butter
150g brown sugar
2 medium sized bananas
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
100g self raising flour
2 teaspoons cocoa
¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Method:
Preheat your oven to 180°C.  Grease and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper.
In a large saucepan over a medium heat, melt the chocolate, butter and sugar together, stirring until smooth.  Once melted and mixed together, remove from the heat.
In a bowl, mash up the bananas roughly with a fork (I like to have chunks of banana in the brownie).  Add the eggs, bananas and vanilla into the chocolate mixture and stir until well mixed.
Sift in the flour, cocoa and chocolate chips (if using) and mix well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 30 – 35 minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the tin before cutting into squares and serving.

*I used Whittakers 50% Cocoa Dark Block chocolate to melt in with the butter and sugar, and when I have added chocolate chips I have used Nestle Chocolate Bits as they hold their shape and do not melt into the mixture.