Mac's Shoe Fly Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup mashed overripe bananas
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the mashed banana.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the banana mixture. Fold in the walnuts, if using. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
5. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
6. Allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.

Interesting Facts

• This bread is named after the shoeshine boy seen in The Music Man.
• The banana and walnut combination gives the bread a delicious flavor.
• This quick bread does not need to rise, so it can be made in a short amount of time.