HOLIDAY GIFT BREAD

Give a loaf of this moist and fruity bread as a sweet treat to those you love!

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1-1/2 t. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup mashed bananas
1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained
3/4 cup flaked coconut
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped or slivered nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
1/4 cup chopped red maraschino cherries
1/4 cup chopped green maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped dates*

Cream butter and sugar in large bowl then add eggs and vanilla mixing well. Sift flour, baking soda and salt onto a sheet of wax paper. Add to creamed mixture alternating with bananas, then mix in oranges, coconut, chocolate chips, 1/4 cup nuts, cherries and dates. Pour into two greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pans and sprinkle the rest of the nuts on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans.

*can substitute raisins or dried cranberries if preferred