Step 1

Add the cake mix, eggs, bananas, and chocolate chips (if using) to a large mixing bowl (or your stand mixer) and mix well.

Step 2

Grease two small loaf pans, or one large loaf pan. Put the banana bread batter into the pans.

Step 3

Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes (bake for a few minutes longer if you’re using a large loaf pan.)

Step 4

If you’re adding chocolate chips, toss them in a little bit of flour before adding them to the batter. It’s an easy way to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the pan.

Step 5

Freeze overripe bananas until you have enough to make banana bread. Just throw them in a plastic baggie, peel and all! Thaw when ready to use.

Step 6

Another way to freeze overripe bananas is to peel them, then place them in a ziplock bag. Smash the bananas inside the bag until they lie flat, then put it in your freezer. It makes thawing fast and easy!

Step 7

Make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free yellow cake mix. (You can also make it sugar-free by using a sugar-free yellow cake mix and sugar-free chocolate chips!)

Step 8

Bake your banana bread in a muffin pan, a mini-muffin pan, or a bundt pan for something a bit more interesting than your standard loaf.

Step 9

Substitute half of the chocolate chips for peanut butter chips to make “Elvis Banana Bread” (a nod to the King’s favorite sandwich: peanut butter and bananas!)

Step 10

Can’t eat it all at once? Freeze the rest; it defrosts beautifully!