1/3 c. vegetable shortening
1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (best if bananas are soft & partially brown)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (opt.)
Cooking spray

Cream together shortening and sugar; add eggs and beat well. Sift together dry ingredients, add to creamed mixture alternately with banana, blending well after each addition. Stir in nuts. Pour into loaf pan or even muffin pans that have been sprayed with a cooking spray. Bake in moderate oven at 350 degrees; 40 to 45 minutes for loaf or 10 to 15 minutes for muffins. Test with knife. When done, remove from pan and cool.