Bread, Muffin and Scone Recipes

Gift of the Magi Bread

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mashed bananas
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
6 ounces chocolate pieces
1 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, chopped
Dash of salt
Confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup chopped dried figs

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 loaf pans.

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well until fluffy. Sift in flour, baking soda and salt. Add alternately mashed bananas. Stir in mandarin oranges, chocolate pieces, coconut, half of the almonds, cherries and figs. Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours.

Sprinkle with remaining almonds and confectioners' sugar.