Christmas Bread

Christmas Bread

Maraschino cherries, bananas and macadamia nuts are a perfect trio in this
quick bread.

Makes 1 loaf, about 16 slices

1 (10-ounce) jar maraschino cherries
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts

Drain maraschino cherries, reserving two tablespoons of juice. Coarsely chop
cherries; set aside.

Combine butter, eggs and brown sugar and reserved cherry juice in a bowl.
Mix on medium speed with a mixer until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Combine flour, salt and baking powder; mix well. Add mixture of flour and
mashed bananas alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Stir in drained cherries and nuts. Lightly spray a 9x5x3-inch baking pan
with non-stick cooking spray. Spread batter evenly in pan.

Bake in a preheated 350° degree oven one hour, or until golden brown and wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack. Wrap in plastic wrap or store in a tightly covered container