1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/3 c. packed brown sugar
3 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. grated orange rind

Beat in large bowl, beginning with sugar and butter, add eggs one at a time. Add remaining ingredients and beat until light in color.

4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Sift together twice.

4 mashed RIPE bananas
1/2 c. strong black coffee

Puree bananas and coffee together. Add flour mixture and banana mixture alternately to butter muxture, beginning and ending with flour (flour-banana-flour-banana-flour) After each addition, mix gently to combine, but do not beat or otherwise overmix, this toughens and dries the cake. Generously butter 2 loaf pans and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Divide batter. (Optional - decorate tops with banana slices.) Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Cool 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to finish cooling.