From Kristen Browning-Blas, makes 2 8-by-4-inch loaves.
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 eggs
1 cup very ripe, mashed bananas
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (scant)
1 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 convection). Coat two loaf pans with butter or baking spray.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each. Add bananas and mix well. Combine flour, soda and salt, and add in three parts, mixing after each, to banana mixture. Do not overbeat, or the bread will be tough. Gently blend in nuts and/or chocolate chips.
Spread in pans. Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn out of pans and cool on racks.
