Banana Bread

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 c. butter or margarine
• 3 bananas, smashed
• 2 eggs, well beaten
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. hot water
• 1 tsp. baking soda, disolved in water
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 c. flour, sifted
• 1/c c. chopped nuts (option)
• 2 Tbsp applesauce
• 1 squirt of lemon juice

Cream sugar and butter. Add beaten eggs, salt, vanilla and the tablespoon of water in which soda has been dissolved. Add applesauce and lemon juice. Mix. Add mashed bananas alternately with flour, mix well. Bake in greased loaf pan in 350 oven for 45 minutes, or till toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

I also like to sometimes add in shredded zucchini either in addition to or in place of the bananas. Chocolate chips are also optional.