Bahama Bread

2 c FLOUR

1 ts BAKING SODA

1/2 ts SALT

1/2 c BUTTER

1 c SUGAR

2 EGGS

1/3 c MILK

1 ts LEMON JUIcE OR

1/2 ts VANILLA EXTRAcT

1/2 c CHOPPED NUTS; OPTIONAL.

2-3 ea VERY RIPE BANANAS; MASHED PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 cOMBINE

FLOUR, BAKING SODA, AND SALT IN A BOWL cREAM THE BUTTER IN A MIXING BOWL GRADUALLY ADD THE SUGAR AND MIX TO WELL BLENDED ADD THE EGGS AND THE BANANA MIX UNTILL WELL BLENDED. cOMBINE THE MILK AND LEMON JUIcE IN A LARGE BOWL. ALTERNATELY MIX THE FLOUR MIXTURE INTO THE BANANA MIXTURE. ADD A LITTLE AT A TIME, BEGINNING AND ENDING WITH THE DRY INGREDIENTS. BLEND WELL AFTER EAcH ADDITION. ADD NUTS. TURN THE BATTER INTO A HEAVILY BUTTERED 9 X 5 X 3 INcH LOAF PAN. BAKE FOR ONE HOUR OR UNTIL BREAD IS GOLDEN AND SPRINGS BAcK WHEN TOUcHED. cOOL IN PAN FOR TEN MINUTES. TAKE BREAD OUT OF PAN AND cOOL cOMPLETELY.