Mom's Banana Bread

Instructions

Place the bananas on a plate and let them sit at room temperature until they turn brown, 2 hours.

Preheat an oven to 350F.

Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until light golden and aromatic, 8 to 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let cool

Place the sugar, flour, butter, egg, baking soda, salt, bananas, walnuts and optional chocolate chips in a bowl and with a wooden spoon, stir together.  Alternately, you can place the mixture in a stand mixer and with the flat paddle, mix on low speed just until thoroughly mixed. 

Pour the mixture into an oiled loaf pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.

Bake in the oven until a toothpick when inserted into the middle of the banana bread comes out clean, about 50 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes in the pan.  Run a knife around the edges and remove from the pan.  Cool on a rack.