Banana Nut Bread

This old favorite retains its place in holiday hearts! A good keeper, moist and delicious. Tasty tip: lightly toast walnuts or pecans before adding to batter. Adds flavor!

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)

1/3 cup water

1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of one large loaf pan or three small mini-loaf pans.

Cream sugar and softened butter in mixing bowl. Add eggs and beat on low until blended. Stir in bananas and water.

In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Stir in remaining ingredients just until blended. Do not over-beat. Fold in nuts.

Pour batter into pan, and bake large loaf 55-70 minutes, smaller loaves 45 to 60 minutes. Bread is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan for five minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely before wrapping.