Tyler Florence's Chocolate Banana Bread

1/2cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for the pan


2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

2 large eggs

3 very ripe bananas

1 teaspoon vanilla extract



Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Butter a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, cream the butter until lightened, then beat in the chocolate, eggs, bananas, and vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined; do not overbeat.



Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake until a toothpick stuck into the center of the bread comes out almost clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for at least 15 minutes before unmolding