This Chocolate Banana Bread combines the sweet flavor of ripe bananas with chocolate. A perfect accompaniment to that first cup of morning coffee.

1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ cup cocoa
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup shortening
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
(about 2 medium)
2 eggs, slightly beaten

Combine flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening with pastry blender until mixture resembles course meal. Add bananas and eggs; stir with a fork just until blended. Spread evenly into greased and floured 9x5x3” loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. Dust with confectioners sugar before serving.