Banana Bread (Alena)

1/4  cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

3 ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

chocolate chips and/or nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease an 8 x 4 loaf pan. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and mashed bananas. Mix in flour, baking soda and salt just until combined.  Add in optional ingredients if desired.  Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake in over for 1 hour. If top begins to brown too quickly, decrease heat slightly. Center should be soft and chewy, while the outside crisp and crunchy.