banana bread - crowd favorite

Every time I make this I get a lot of compliments so I thought it might be worth sharing. I love to cook but baking is not really my strength, except for this recipe. This is not my own recipe though I have made one adjustment. The recipe comes from Betty Crocker herself and will be sure to please all of your guests. The ingredients are:
1 1/4 cups sugar SAVE $
1/2 cup(1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium) **note: I often have 1 or 2 very ripe bananas supplemented with 1 or 2 not as ripe and it works great**
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 cup milk chocolate chips 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and make sure you have a rack moved to the lower position in the oven.

Mix the sugar and the butter. Add the eggs and beat/mix well. 
Now add the mashed bananas, buttermilk and vanilla, mixing well.
Finally, add the flour, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips. I add the flour in a little at a time so as to avoid white counter tops in the end. 

Grease your loaf pans and pour the batter. I usually make two loafs in a 9"x4" pan because they cook in less time. I also use the disposable pans found in the baking aisle at your local grocer. 
I bake them for about 40 - 50 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center to check if the center is cooked through. If toothpick comes out clean then your loaf is done!

Remove from pan and allow to cool before cutting (if you can even stand it). Best when served warm!!

Be prepared for your guests, friends, or your own mouth to ooh and ahh at your masterpiece.

Enjoy!