Sweet Banana Bread

Mom used to make this recipe as a treat during the weekend. I have since made some additions and make it for my family when I visit home.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups (3–4 medium) mashed bananas
• ½ cup margarine, softened
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Optional (add just one or all):

• ½ cup chopped nuts
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ½ cup butterscotch chips
• ½ cup peanut butter chips
• Turbinado sugar, to sprinkle on top

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350°F.
2. While the oven is heating, grease the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5-inch (or 8 x 4-inch) loaf pan.
3. Put sugar, mashed bananas, margarine, milk, vanilla extract and eggs in a bowl. Beat one minute with hand mixer on medium speed.
4. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and any optional ingredients you choose. Only combine until everything is moistened.
5. Pour batter into greased loaf pan and place in oven.
6. Bake 50–60 minutes or until toothpick in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to burn; after 50 minutes check bread every 2–3 minutes.
7. Once completely done, cool for 5 minutes and remove from loaf pan.