chocolate chip banana cake

Alright, so once again, it's cold out. Really cold outside. And right about at this time of year, I begin to ask myself why on earth anyone lives up here. Perhaps it wouldn't feel so very gloomy, if I didn't have such immediate access to the temperatures worldwide. I only have to gently brush the screen with the tip of my finger, and my phone tells me that just about everywhere is warmer than Calgary is at the moment. Okay, so I admit that most of the places I check are not in Canada, but surely, that is not an excuse. I am going to use the temperatures to continue to search endlessly for the perfect comfort food. As long as I have the time, you know? Luckily, I haven't had to search too far, as this cake has been in my Mom's recipe box for some time. Unfortunately, this cake has a terrible downside. The fragrant aroma of this cake can create temporary insanity and delirium, as my Dad and I would plot how we would eat as much of the cake as we could, and not have Mom notice. Generally, this meant we would have to eat it, and then blame the consumption on the other person, hoping that Mom would never really figure out the truth. Yes, it is a cake which has caused me to lie. I know, this is a terrible thing. A terrible, terrible thing. I do swear that I am not lying to you that it is a very good cake, one that will make you attempt to conceal the amount you have devoured, when it is was supposed to be cooling! Then, of all the faux-pas' one should never partake, is to lick one's fingers, and then... well you get the idea. It's a good cake. The other problem with the cake, is that it causes my Mom and I to argue. Yes, I know I shouldn't argue with my Mom. However, she only adds 1/2 cup of chocolate chips! It just makes me eat more of it to actually receive my fill in chocolate. Go with 3/4 cup of chocolate chips... or more if you dare. And just when you thought, that the cute little sundress hanging in the closet was no longer going to fit, well then you discover, that there are a lot of healthy things in this cake. There are five, yes five bananas. And oats, and whole wheat flour, and wheat germ. Only 1/4 cup of butter. Go on, it's okay. Chocolate Chip Banana Cake 1/4 cup butter + 2 tbsp applesauce 1 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup butter milk (or 1/2 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice) 1 1/2 cup mashed very ripe bananas (five bananas) 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or regular flour) 1/2 cup wheat germ 1 cup rolled oats 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup chocolate chips 1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 fahrenheit, and line a 13 x 9 inch pan with baking paper. 2. If not using buttermilk, combine the milk and lemon juice in a glass measuring cup, and let stand. 3. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the applesauce, and the eggs. 4. Stir in the milk, bananas, and vanilla. Mix well, but it can still have a little texture of the bananas. 5. Stir in the flour, wheat germ, oats, baking soda and salt. 6. Mix to combine. 7. Add 3/4 cup chocolate chips, and mix one last time. 8. Evenly spread the mixture in the baking pan, and bake for approximately 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (chocolate excluded!).