Mary Ann's Banana Bread

This recipe comes from an old church cookbook. I have made hundreds of loaves over the years for bake sales and friends.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 1⁄2 cups white sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk or 1⁄2 cup  sour milk
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 3  ripe bananas, mashed
• 1⁄2 cup  nuts (optional) or 1⁄2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Cream butter and sugar.
3. Add eggs and beat until blended.
4. Beat in buttermilk.
5. Add flour and baking soda and mix until all flour is moist.
6. Add bananas and any options.
7. Put into two 8x4 loaf pans and bake for 45-50 minutes.
8. Remove from oven.
9. Cool for 15 minutes and turn out of pan onto cooling rack.