Banana or Pear Bran Bread

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 large bananas or pears, ripe, mashed
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 2/3 cups all bran cereal
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, almonds, walnuts, your choice
• 1/2 cup dried fruit, cranberries, raisins, blueberries , your choice
• 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips

• Prepare a standard bread pan, spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar together well.
• Add the eggs, bananas and buttermilk and mix to combine.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda and salt; add to banana mixture along with bran cereal and stir just until moistened.
• Pour into bread pan
• Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.