"Best Ever" Banana Bread

This recipe comes from my Mother. I did have to convert it to make it Gluten Free, but it turns out DELICIOUS! This recipe usually takes some planning before hand for the ripe bananas. Keep that in mind.

Ingredients:
1 C Shortening
2 C Sugar
4 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
6 large or 8 small ripe bananas, mashed*
3 1/3 C GF Flour
1 Tbsp. Xanthan Gum
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 C Buttermilk
Nuts or Chocolate Chips (optional)

Directions:
Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add Bananas. Add dry ingredients, then buttermilk. Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips (1 C chopped nuts or 1/2 bag mini chocolate chips). Pour into Greased Bread Pans. Bake at 325 Degrees F. Makes 2 large (1 hour) or 4 small (bake 45-50 minutes) or 12 mini (bake 27 min.) loaves.**

* I usually will freeze the bananas that are about to go bad and save them to make this recipe. If you need to make it but don't have any ripe bananas, go to the store and buy the ones that are about to go bad.
** As with most things people bake, it is important to understand cooking times may vary from oven to oven. Please check the breads by inserting toothpick into the top middle of the loaf to ensure it is done. If you pull it out too early, the top will collapse during cooling.