Double Chocolate Banana Snack Cake

Once again I had a group of bananas sitting on my counter gettin' all spotty. They were literally beggin' to be used up. So, before the major heat wave hit (it arrived today) I decided to bake up a batch of this really moist, chocolatey snack cake. I figured it was a win-win. I'd use up 3 large bananas and get my chocolate fix all in the same bite!

So I baked this cake quickly after school yesterday, fed the kids a quick supper then the kids and I hopped over to my parents' pool to cool off. Brad was working late and texted me to say he wouldn't be home before his evening 'meeting' (ie beer & pub grub) with his fellow Cub leaders.

When the kids and I got home I went to check on my now cooled snack cake only to find a huge piece missing. My first thought? Someone broke in and ate some cake!! Like I was part of an infamous bear family and some Goldilocks broke in when she smelled my delicious snack cake. Honestly, that was my first thought.

The Nancy Drew in me would not be appeased by merely giving up on the 'Mystery of the Missing Snack Cake' so I called Brad (who was now at a restaurant with his Cub leader cronies) and asked him if HE ate the cake. He said that he had come home after work to change before going out and that yes he had eaten the cake. He then asked if I had thought someone broke in and stolen the cake (does he know me or what?). My silence proved his theory and he (and the other leaders) had a little chuckle at my expense. Hardee har har. But hey! Sometimes my baking is good enough to steal!!! ;)

Anyhoo, if you're in the mood for a chocolatey treat that has the taste of a brownie, the texture of a moist cake with a hint of banana this is for you! Perfect for dessert or any 'just cuz' moment. But be careful, it's so good someone may try to steal a piece!

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 3 large bananas)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of semi-sweet OR dark chocolate chips, optional
Garnish - Powdered sugar & sliced strawberries (if desired)
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add mashed banana, beating until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a small bowl, combine instant coffee and vanilla. Add coffee mixture to the butter mixture and mix well.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Don't overmix. Gently fold in chocolate chips.

Scrape batter into an 8-inch baking pan lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray, spreading evenly. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired.

Inspired by: Cooking Light