Holiday Fruit Bread

 

1/2

cup butter, softened

1

cup sugar

2

eggs

1

teaspoon vanilla extract

2

cups flour

1

teaspoon baking soda

1/8

teaspoon salt

1

cup very ripe mashed banana

11

oz can mandarin oranges, drained well and chopped

6

oz chocolate chips

1

cup shredded coconut

1/2

cup maraschino cherries, drained well and chopped

2/3

cup chopped pecans or walnuts

powdered sugar (optional)

• 1 Preheat oven to 350°. Generously grease two 71/2 x 3/12 inch loaf pans (or four smaller loaf pans.) Line bottom only of pans with parchment paper or waxed paper to prevent sticking.
• 2 In a mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs & vanilla extract . Beat until light and fluffy.
• 3 In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda & salt. Add flour mixture and bananas to the butter mixture. Stir in remaining fruits, chocolate chips, coconut & nuts by hand.
• 4 Fill greased loaf pans (about three quarters full) and bake for approximately 1 to 1-1/4 hours for larger loaf pans or 40 minutes for small loaf pans. Loaves are done when a tooth pick inserted in center of bread comes out clean.
• 5 Let loaves cool in pans for about 10 minutes, then remove and finish cooling on racks. When cool, wrap and store in refrigerator overnight . Prior to serving, sprinkle powdered sugar over the top (optional) and slice. Refrigerate any left overs.