Banana Bread

This is a tasty (and healthy) banana bread recipe that has a nice dense texture and isn't overly sweet. I haven't tried making it yet, but I've tried the results several times. Source: Carolynn Johnson.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening OR 1/2 cup applesauce
• 2 Tbsp butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 cup sugar OR 3/4 cup Splenda (for recipes) and 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup sour milk
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 Tbsp warm water
• 3 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cream together the shortening (or applesauce), butter, sugar (including the Splenda), bananas, eggs, and salt.
3. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
4. Butter and flour two loaf pans.
5. Pour batter into pans.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, if using sugar. Bake for 35-40 minutes, if using Splenda.