WALNUT BANANA BREAD

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Land O Lakes Butter, softened
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (2 medium)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 8x4-inch loaf pan.

Combine sugar and butter in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1 to 2 minutes). Add eggs; continue beating until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes) Reduce speed to low. Add banana and vanilla; mix well (1 to 2 minutes) Stir in all remaining ingredients by hand. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.

Tasty Tip:
Banana bread tastes best when wrapped in plastic food wrap and allowed to rest in the refrigerator overnight. This allows the crust to soften.

Makes 1 loaf
Source: Baking 101: Land O Lakes Recipe Collection, September 2000