Don't you just love to give unique homemade gifts?  You are in for a treat with this recipe!  This Banana Nut Bread Baked in a Jar is perfect for hostess gifts, holiday gifts, gift baskets, party favors, etc.  Tie a pretty ribbon to suit the occasion around the neck of the jar and you've just pulled a neat gift from your pantry shelf. Never let ripe bananas go to waste.  If you don't want or need banana bread at the time, bake it in jars for use later.


BANANA NUT BREAD BAKED IN A JAR
This recipe is from an old newspaper clipping.

2/3 cup shortening
2 2/3 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 bananas, mashed
2/3 cup water
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
2/3 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream shortening and sugar together. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and water. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Add the flour mixture to the banana. Stir the nuts into the mixture.

Pour the batter into greased wide mouth pint jars, filling them 1/2 full. Do not put lids on the jars for baking! Bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes. When done, remove from the oven one jar at a time. Clean sealing edge with a paper towel or cloth and screw lid on firmly. The heat will vacuum seal the jars to keep the bread. Be sure to check the lids periodically to be sure they are still sealed.

Enjoy!