This is the bread that made one of Carla’s roommates come running through the front door yelling, “What are you cooking? The whole house smells amazing!” Carla varies this recipe from time to time, adding cinnamon or nutmeg if she feels like it.

• 3 cups flour
• 3 cups sugar
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 6 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup mashed bananas

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour a tube or Bundt pan, or two loaf pans.

Mix flour, sugar and baking soda; slowly beat in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each, then sour cream, and blend well. Add flavorings and bananas and mix well. Pour batter into pans.

Bake 1½ hours at 325 degrees or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.