Oatmeal Banana Bread

An alternative banana bread that I really enjoyed. A bit heartier than our usual variety.

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the banana and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat into creamed mixture. Stir in oats and nuts. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Apple Bread

I LOVE this apple bread! This time I used pecans instead of walnuts only because that's what was already in my cupboard.

2c flour
1t baking powder
1/2t baking soda
1/2t salt
1/2c chopped walnuts
1/2c butter, softened
1c white sugar
2 eggs
1t vanilla extract
2+c apples, peeled, cored and shredded (I used 2 apples cut in chunks and 1 shredded)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease one 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nuts.
In a large bowl beat margarine, sugar, one egg at a time, and vanilla. Stir in apples.
Add dry ingredients. Stir until just moistened. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes (it took mine over an hour by toothpick test). Let stand 10 minutes then remove from pan.