BANANA BREAD

Ingredients

1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening
1/2 cup applesauce
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
3 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups mashed bananas (6 large or 7 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preparation

Cream shortening, applesauce and sugar together. Add eggs, blending well. In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add to creamed mixture alternately with banana, blending after each addition and beginning and ending with flour. Stir in nuts and chips. Pour into two well-greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.