1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. orange zest
2 eggs
3 large overripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup chopped black walnuts
1/4 cup chopped dates (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Sift together in a bowl flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, cream sugar, butter, vanilla and honey. Add orange zest. Beat in eggs and mashed bananas.

Gradually add sifted ingredients to the banana mixture. Fold in nuts and dates. Pour the batter into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 1 hour, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool before serving.