Best Banana Nut Bread
I found this recipe in a very old cookbook from Louisiana State University. The cookbook was tattered, torn and yellowed--but this recipe caught my eye. Banana nut bread is one of myfavorite treats and this is the best I've ever tasted! The original recipe said it was from Mrs. Ross Hodges. Well thanks, Mrs. Hodges, wherever your are!
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 3 or 4 over-ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9x5x3 inch loaf pans.
Cream sugar and shortening with an electric mixer. Add eggs and salt and beat thoroughly until light and fluffy. Stir soda into buttermilk. Gradually add flour and milk and beat well. Then add mashed bananas and vanilla. Fold in chopped nuts with a hand spatula and pour into two greased and floured loaf pans.
Each pan should be only about 1/2 full. Do not over-fill your pans. Bake at 350 degrees F, for about one hour or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove bread from pans and place on cooling racks. Unbelievably delicious!