Christmas Bread

Maraschino cherries, bananas and macadamia nuts are a perfect trio in this quick bread. 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° F 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. Makes 1 loaf, about 16 slices. Courtesy of the Cherry Marketing Institute