Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, grated
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional)
• 1/4 cup almonds, ground (optional)
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups ripe bananas, mashed (4 medium)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Grease 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.

3. 3

   Sift flour,baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, allspice and nutmeg together in bowl.

4. 4

   Add lemon zest and almonds.

5. 5

   Stir until combined.

6. 6

   Set aside. Beat butter in large mixing bowl until soft and creamy.

7. 7

   Beat in sugar until light and fluffy.

8. 8

   Add eggs and beat until thoroughly blended.

9. 9

   Beat in flour mixture alternately with bananas until mixture is well blended.

10. 10

    Pour into prepared pan.

11. 11

    Bake in center of oven 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

12. 12

    Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes.

13. 13

    Invert from pan and cool completely on rack.

14. 14

    Variation: Banana-walnut or -pecan bread: Omit almonds.

15. 15

    Add 3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans with bananas.