Banana loaf

MMMMM----- Meal-Master Recipe via Home Cookin 2.8
 
       Title: Banana Loaf
  Categories: Home Cookin,
       Yield: 6
 
   1-3/4 c  sifted all-purpose flour
       2    ¼ teaspoons double-acting
            baking
            powder
            ½ teaspoon salt
     1/3 c  shortening (OR 1/3 cup
            unsalted butter)
     2/3 c  sugar
            ½ teaspoon grated lemon
            rind
       2    eggs
       3    ripe bananas
            OPTIONAL ADDITIONS:
            ½ cup broken nutmeats
            ¼ cup finely chopped dried
            apricots
            VARIATION: BANANA WHEAT
            GERM BREAD
            Reduce flour to 1½ cups.
            Add ¼ cup wheat germ.
 
   Set out ingredients to warm to room temperature.
   Preheat oven to 350°.  Grease bread pan.
   Prepare ingredients: Grate lemon rind and set aside.  Mash
   bananas (you should have 1½ cups).  Finely dice the apricots and
   nutmeats, if used.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, and
   salt.  Set aside.
   Blend the shortening (or butter), sugar, and lemon rind until
   creamy, then beat in the eggs and banana pulp.
   With the mixer at slow speed, add the sifted ingredients to the
   sugar mixture.  Increase speed to medium and beat the batter
   until smooth.  Fold in apricots and nutmeats.
   Scrape the batter into the pan. Bake about 1 hour or until done
   (a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf should come out
   clean).   Turn out on a rack and cool before slicing.
 
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