Gift of the Magi Bread

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup ripe banana, mashed (about 2 medium)
1 (11-oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
2/3 cup sliced almonds, divided
1/2 cup maraschino cherries
1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins

Preheat oven to 350�F.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda and salt alternately with the bananas.

Stir in the oranges, coconut, chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, cherries and dates or raisins.

Pour into 2 greased loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining almonds.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 2 loaves