Sweet Banana Bread

5½ - 6 C all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp active dry yeast (or 2 pkgs)
¾ C milk
½ C sugar
½ C butter or margarine
1 tsp salt
2 ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
2 eggs
1 tsp water

In bowl, combine 2 cups flour and the yeast. Heat milk, sugar, butter, and salt just until warm (115º to 120º), stirring constantly. Add to flour mixture. Add bananas, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk (reserve egg white). Beat at low speed of electric mixer for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat 3 minutes at high speed. Stir in as much remaining flour as you can mix in with a spoon. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough (6-8 minutes). Shape into a ball. Place in greased bowl; turn over. Cover and let rise until double (about 1 hour).

Punch down; divide in half. Cover. Let rest 10 minutes. Shape into two round loaves. Place on greased baking sheets. Flatten slightely with palm of hand to 6-7 inch diameter. Combine reserved egg white and water and brush tops. Cover. Let rise until nearly double (30-45 minutes). Bake in 325 º oven for 35-40 minutes. Cool. Makes 2 loaves.

~Loralee Darley