Banana Nut Bread (using oven or bread machine)

Banana Nut Bread

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup (2 medium) mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 9 x 5  loaf pan. In large bowl, combine sugar and margarine; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs; beat well. Add bananas, milk and vanilla; blend well.

2.  In small bowl, combine flour, nuts, baking soda and salt; mix well. Add to banana mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Pour into greased loaf pan.

3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool 1 hour or until completely cooled. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator. 

Yield 1 (16-slice) loaf

I actually made this bread in my bread machine. One...my bread machine has a batter bread setting, and two...the baking temp is perfect. Oh I can't forget about three...no added bowls and mixing utensils  to clean. I added all wet ingredients first to the bread machine pan, along with the mashed bananas.  I just cracked the eggs right into the pan without beating them.  Then I added all the dry ingredients beginning with the flour and topped it off with the nuts. Set the bread machine for Batter Bread with the crust set to dark (gets a little longer baking time which is needed). When done I let it sit in the pan for 5 minutes then popped it out. The bread baked to a nice golden brown and it was so very moist. My bread machine is like my adult Easy Bake Oven that mixes, kneads and bakes. I just love it!