Banana Cake

Someone (Shirley??) wrote this recipe on an index card many years ago. She said: "I use 3 small loaf pans and fill 1/2 full".

1/2 cup shortening (use Crisco)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2-1/4 cups flour
2-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (about 4) very ripe bananas
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream shortening and sugar together well. Mash bananas and add to shortening/sugar mixture, mix well. Add vanilla, then flour and other dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Mix good. [Pour into greased loaf pans and] bake 25 - 35 minutes (until done when tested) at 375°F. Remove and immediately sprinkle with topping. Return to oven and bake 2 or 3 minutes longer.

TOPPING:

Mix together:

2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup finely choped nuts