Coconut Banana Bread

We operate on a tight budget, and I try not to waste anything. I often find myself hunting for banana recipes, because we never seem to make it through a batch of bananas before the last two or three are too brown to eat. This recipe came from Quick Cooking, and I adapted it just a bit to suit my preferences. Boy, is it good!!! Watch the cooking time, though - mine only needed 45 minutes.

Coconut Banana Bread

1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x5x3 loaf pan and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, combine eggs, bananas, butter, coconut, and extract. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fold in walnuts.

Transfer to loaf pan and bake 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.