Oatmeal Banana Nut Bread

1/2 cup shortening (or half butter)
3/4 cup white sugar (or 1/2 brown and 1/2 white)
2 eggs
3 mashed bananas (or as much as 1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Turn down oven to 300.

In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the banana and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Beat into creamed mixture. Stir in oats and nuts. Pour into prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

*Sprinkle unbaked top with 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp sugar and not quite 1/4 cup oatmeal flakes before baking.