Aloha Bread Recipe

Lightly spray a 9x5" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Drain maraschino cherries, reserving 2 tablespoons juice. Cut cherries in quarters; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine butter, 2/3 cup brown sugar, eggs and reserved cherry juice; mix on medium speed of electric mixer until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Add flour mixture and mashed bananas alternately, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in cherries and nuts.

Spread batter evenly in pan. Sprinkle batter with raw brown sugar, if desired. Bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until golden brown and wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean. Remove from pan; let cool on wire rack. Store in a tightly covered container. Makes 1 loaf.

NOTES: Bananas and macadamia nuts accented with cherries bring home a tropical flavor.