Bran Banana Bread

2 c. regular all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. mashed, fully ripe bananas
1 1/2 c. Kellogg’s All-Bran cereal or Bran Buds cereal
1/2 c. regular margarine or butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. coarsely chopped nuts (optional)

1. Stir together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In small mixing bowl, stir together mashed bananas and All-Bran cereal. Let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cereal is softened.
3. Meanwhile, in large mixing bowl, beat margarine and sugar until well blended. Add eggs. Mix in cereal mixture. Stir in flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in greased 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
4. Bake in oven at 350 degrees F. about 1 hour or until wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely before slicing.

Variations:
2 1/2 cups Kellogg’s 40% Bran Flakes may be substituted for the All-Bran cereal. To substitute Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Bran cereal for the All-Bran cereal, crush 1 1/2 cups Cracklin’ Bran cereal and decrease sugar to 1/2 cup.