Banana Bread

From the Kitchen of Betsy Gottwald, a friend of Lori's family

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/4 cups sugar

2 packages (3.4 oz each) instant vanilla pudding mix

1-1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

5 eggs

2 cups mashed ripe bananas (4 to 5 medium)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Directions:

In large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, bananas, oil, and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Stir in nuts if desired. Transfer to two greased 8 in x 4 in x 2 in loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 55-65 min or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 min before removing from pans to wire rack.