Christmas Banana Bread from Best Holiday Gatherings Taste of Home Cookbook

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tp baking soda

1/4 tp salt

1-1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas ( about 3 )

1/2 c chopped walnuts

1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 c chopped maraschino cherries

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Beat in the bananas just until combined. Stir in the walnuts, chocolate chips and cherries.

Pour into a greased 9 x 5 x 3 loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 70-80 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan and placing on a wire rack.