1 1/2 c. unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. each: baking soda and salt
1/4 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (3 or 4)
1 c. whole-bran cereal
2/3 c. chopped pecans

Sift flour, baking powder, soda and salt into a bowl. In the large bowl of electric mixer beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Stir in bananas. Add flour mixture, bran and nuts, beating until just smooth.

Turn batter into a greased 9 x 5 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until straw inserted comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Wrap in foil and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes one loaf.

BANANA ICING:

1 c. powdered sugar
3 tbsp. butter
1 sm. ripe banana
1 sm. egg
Vanilla extract to taste

Blend ingredients together with hand mixer until smooth. If icing is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar until firm for spreading.