Preheat your oven to 350 F.
Grease a 9×5 loaf pan very well, and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together first six ingredients.
In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients, and stir.
Pour dry ingredients into wet, and mix until just evenly combined.
Transfer to the pan, and spread out evenly.
If desired, sprinkle chocolate chips over the top of the batter, and press down.
Bake 27 minutes.
Without opening the oven door, turn off the heat.
Let sit 10 minutes in the closed oven before removing.
