1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries

2 tsp. baking powder

2/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1 3/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 c. butter 

1 c. mashed ripe bananas

Drain cherries, reserving 2 teaspoons of juice. Cut cherries into quarters; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl; set aside. In medium bowl, combine brown sugar, butter, eggs and reserved cherry juice; mix on medium speed of electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Add flour mixture alternately with mashed bananas, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in cherries and nuts. Lightly spray a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake in preheated 350º oven for 1 hour or until loaf is golden brown and wooden pick inserted near center comes out clean.