Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom (only) of a 9-inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, mix sugar and butter with an electric mixer. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until creamy.
Add bananas and mix thoroughly.
Stir in flour. Beat for 20-30 seconds with a beater or 2 minutes by hand, until just mixed through
Fold in remaining ingredients except nuts. Next fold in nuts.
Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until baked through. A wooden toothpick should come out clean (or with baked crumbs on it). Cool for about 30 minutes on a wire rack before removing from the pan and cooling completely.
Notes
For a delicious change of flavor, add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon along with the flour. If using an 8-inch loaf pan, bake for 1 ¼ hours.