Banana Rum Brownies

I wanted to make some brownies that were a bit different from the same old and so I decided to add some bananas and rum because they always go well with chocolate and these brownies were the result. A rich chocolate cake with chewy bites of banana and a slight undertone of rum. 

You will need:

• 3 tbsp rum 
• 1 small banana - chopped in small dice
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips
• 1 stick (1/2 cup ) chopped unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup olive oil - I used Lucero chocolate Olive oil - but you can use any fruity oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips to top (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F

Step 1: in a 9 inch square pan butter sides and add a sheet of parchment paper for easy removal. Butter and flour all sides of the parchment well, tapping out excess flour. Set aside.

Step 2: chop a ripe banana and add to rum - I have made vanilla rum by splitting vanilla beans into my rum but, any rum will work fine.

Step 3: in a small bowl add semi-sweet chocolate and butter pieces. Melt in microwave for 40 seconds, stir and melt another 20. Remove from microwave and stir until most of the chocolate has melted.

Step 4: add chocolate, brown sugar and olive oil to a large bowl, Mix well. Add eggs and mix well again.

Step 5: add flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, bananas and rum. Mix well.

Step 6: pour into prepared pan and top with chocolate chips (or you could add some nuts if you prefer)  Bake exactly 30 minutes to get a nice brownie with a bit of a gooey center.

Let cool then you can lift out brownies with parchment paper and slice.