Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

These Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are like banana blondies—tender, moist, and the perfect way to use up ripe bananas!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
• 1 cup packed light or dark brown sugar (200g)
• 1 large egg, room temperature (56g)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (6g)
• 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (125g)
• 1 cup mashed overripe banana (about 2 large bananas, 250g)
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips, chopped (125g)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup unsalted butter and 1 cup brown sugar for about 2 minutes, until the mixture turns lighter in color. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or whisk if the butter is soft enough.
3. Add 1 large egg, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Mix in 1 cup of flour on low speed until just combined.
5. Fold in 1 cup of mashed bananas, followed by 3/4 cup chopped chocolate chips (save a few to sprinkle on top).
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.
7. Bake for 33-37 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. The edges should be golden and the center baked through.
8. Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack, then remove and cut into 16 squares.

Store at room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge for up to a week.