Banana Bread

Banana Bread

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas (3 medium)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp finely shredded lemon zest (optional)
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1.  Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of a loaf pan; set aside.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp salt.  Make a well in the center of the dry mixture; set aside.

2.  In another bowl, combine the egg, bananas, sugar, cooking oil, and if desired lemon peel.  Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture.  Stir just until moistened (batter will be lumpy).  Fold in nuts.

3.  Spoon batter into the prepared pan.  Bake in a 350* oven 50-55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove loaf from pan; cool on rack.  Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf, 16 slices