Blogtoberfest Day Eleven: Banana Nut Bread

So I missed day ten for Blogtoberfest.  We met the kids at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and spent the day there celebrating Sean's birthday.  After shopping, dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and opening presents at Sean's apartment we made it home just before midnight.  We live 2 hours from Baltimore so it was a long day but well worth it.

Today was spent cleaning and baking.  I came across this recipe for banana nut bread in a magazine a while back and thought it sounded good.  Boy, was I right!  You'll have to try it and taste for yourself.

Southern Banana Nut Bread

1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups self-rising flour

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup pecan pieces

        In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs.  Blend in bananas and vanilla.  Add flour alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.  Fold in pecans.

        Pour into two greased 8in x 4in loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack:  cool completely.