3/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. bananas, mashed (3 lg.)
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 c. Gold Medal all-purpose flour
1/2 c. nuts, chopped (if you like)
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease a loaf pan, either 9 x 5 x 3 or 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, with shortening, using a pastry brush. Mix sugar, bananas, oil and eggs in a large bowl with a wooden spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center of the bread comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes, then loosen sides of loaf from pan and remove from pan. Let cool completely before slicing. Makes 1 loaf.