Banana Tea Bread from the New York Times

• sifted flour1 3⁄4 cups
• baking powder↗2 teaspoons
• baking soda↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• shortening or softened butter↗1⁄3 cup
• sugar↗2⁄3 cup
• eggs, well-beaten↗2
• mashed ripe banana (about 2-3)1 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

3. 3

   Cream the shortening or butter, add the sugar gradually and continue working until the batter is light and fluffy.

4. 4

   Add the eggs and beat well.

5. 5

   Add the flour mixture alternately with the bananas, a small amount at a time, beating after each addition until smooth.

6. 6

   Turn into a well-greased bread pan [8-1/2 X 4-1/2 X 3 inches] and bake about one hour and ten minutes.

7. 7

   NOTE: you can add 1/2 cup coarsely broken nut meats to the batter.