3 Way Banana Bread

Subject: 3 Way Banana Bread Sat Nov 08, 2008 2:03 am

3 Way Banana Bread

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1-3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour

2-3/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup mashed bananas

Beat shortening until creamy or 2 minutes at medium speed on mixer

Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy after each addition

Add eggs and beat until thick and pale lemon in color

Sift dry ingredients

Add alternately with bananas

Blend thoroughly after each addition

To Bake

Bread

Grease bottom only of 4-1/2x8-1/2 inch loaf.

Spoon batter into pan

Bake in moderate (350) oven for 60 to 70 minutes

Bread is done when center springs back when touched lightly with finger

Let cool 20 minutes in pan before turning onto rack

Makes 1 loaf

Banana Date Bars

To basic batter add 1 cup chopped dates

Spread in greased and floured 15x10x1 inch pan

Bake in moderate (350) oven for 20 minutes

Cool in pan

Cut into 42 bars

Sprinkle sifted confectioner’s sugar (about 3/4 cup) through a lace patterned paper doily and over top of bars or roll in confectioner's sugar

store in airtight container in a cool area or wrap and freeze

Banana Jam Ring

Into a well greased and floured 6-1/2 cup (9-inch) ring mold spoon a layer of the basic batter.

Over it spoon 1/4 cup strawberry preserves.

Add more batter and 1/4 cup more preserves

Top with remaining batter.

Cut down through batter to marbleize.

Bake in a moderate 350 oven for 35 to 40 minutes

Cool 5 minutes in pan and turn out on rack

Cool

Ice with icing made by mixing 1 cup confectioners sugar with 1 tbsp soft margarine and 1 tsp hot water

Decorate with candied fruit as desired