1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 lg. eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 med. ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)
2 c. self-rising flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 c. buttermilk

Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Add vanilla and bananas. Add soda to buttermilk and mix alternately with flour. Add nuts, if desired. Can be baked in a tube pan or large loaf pan. Less sugar can be used in cake if you use icing. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Icing is optional.

ICING:

1 stick butter
1 box confectioners' sugar
2-3 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. finely chopped nuts

Mix butter and sugar until smooth, add nuts.