Have all ingredients at about 70F.

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift together:

1-3/4 cups of sifted all purpose flour

2-1/4 teaspoons double-acting baking powder

1/2 tsp of salt

Blend until creamy:

1/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup sugar

3/4 tsp grated lemon rind

Beat in:

1 to 2 beaten eggs

1 to 1-1/4 cups ripe banana pulp

Add the sifted ingredients in about three parts to the sugar mixture.

Beat the batter after each addition until smooth.

Fold in:

1/2 cup broken nutmeats

1/4 cup finely chopped apricots

Place the batter in a greased bread pan.

Bake the bread about 1 hour or until done.

Cool before slicing.