3-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups mashed, ripe bananas (3-4 large)
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 deg F. Heavily grease and flour a 12 cup fluted tube pan. Combine all ingredients in large bowl. Stir until just blended. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50-55 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan. Turn onto rack to cool completely. Serves 12-16.