Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3-4 medium)
1/3 cup water
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees, Grease bottom only of loaf pan. Mix sugar and margarine in 2 1/2 quart bowl. Stir in eggs until blended. Add bananas and water; beat 30 seconds. stir in remaining ingredients except nuts just until moistened; stir in nuts. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 8-inch loaf 1 hour and 15 minutes, 9-inch loaf 55-60 minutes; cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing. Serving size: 24 (slices)

Nutritional Information: 120 calories per slice

Notes: The best banana bread recipe hands down and I've tried several! Recipe advises not to use self-rising, however; my mom did use it one time and it turned out just fine. So if that is all you have it will do.

Resource: Betty Crocker's Cook Book, 1989