The following recipe was developed over the course of several months, using my local Singles group as guinea pigs at our various potlucks. It always disappears quickly every time I make it. Goes great with a scoop of Cookies and Cream ice cream.

INGREDIENTS:

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup butter or margarine
- 2 cups white sugar
- 2 cups mashed overripe bananas (or approximately)
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup chopped walnuts/other nuts *OR* small chunks of banana(optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
3. Sift the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg into a large bowl.
4. In a larger bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, sugar, bananas, and eggs until well blended.
5. Pour the dry mixture into the wet, and stir or blend thoroughly.
6. Optionally, fold in nuts or small banana chunks.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the two loaf pans.
8. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes in the preheated oven, until a knife inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean.
9. Let the loaves cool in the pans for at least 5 minutes, then turn out onto a cooling rack, and cool completely. Wrap in aluminum foil to keep in the moisture. Or paper towel and then seal in a plastic container/freezer bag.
10. Ideally, let the loaves sit for 2 hours or more before serving.