Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla until well blended.
4. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Fold in walnuts if using.
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean.
7. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.