Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease the bottom of a 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 3 inch loaf pan.

In a mixing bowl, beat shortening until creamy. Gradually add sugar beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until the mixture is a thick, pale lemon color. Add nuts, fruits if you choose. You don’t have to add fruits and nuts. If you do, it makes for more of a fruitcake type of cake. Set aside.

Sift dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl then add them alternately with bananas into the sugar/egg mixture. Blend after each addition.

Pour into loaf pan. Place pan in middle rack of oven. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour (until toothpick comes out dry and loaf is golden brown).