Chocolate Lover's Healthy Banana Bread

A healthy twist on one of my absolute favorite family recipes. Cocoa powder gives this bread a luscious and rich flavor that will leave your mouth watering well after the last bite. The chocolate chip morsels add a delightfully sweet touch!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Stevia
• 4 tbsp vegan butter (I used EarthBalance), slightly softened
• 2 flax eggs*
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup oat flour
• 2/3 cup white all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 overripe bananas, mashed
• 1 (6oz.) container plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (for batter)
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips (for topping - optional)

*To make the flax eggs, mix 2 tbsp flax meal with 4 tbsp water. Let mixture sit for at least 10 minutes before adding.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Lightly grease a loaf pan with cooking spray.
3. Using a blender, add Stevia and butter into a large bowl and blend until creamed.
4. Add in flax eggs and vanilla. Blend until well combined.
5. In a separate medium-large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. 
6. Slowly add in the dry ingredient mixture to the bowl with stevia, butter, eggs, and vanilla, making sure to blend frequently.
7. In another medium bowl, add mashed banana and Greek yogurt and mix.
8. Add the banana-yogurt mixture into the other bowl and blend until smooth.
9. Pour in the 1/2 cup chocolate chips and fold into batter until evenly distributed.
10. Transfer batter into the greased loaf pan.
11. Sprinkle the 1/4 cup chocolate chips on top of batter.
12. Bake in the oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick can be poked cleanly through the center.
13. Let cool for at least an hour before serving.