3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup bananas, mashed
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup dates, cut up
chopped nuts (if desired)

Cream the sugar and shortening. Add mashed bananas, lemon juice and egg. Add dry ingredients and dates. Grease and flour loaf pan. Add bread mixture and bake at 350°F for 1 hour. Test for doneness.