Preheat oven to 325° with rack in lower third of oven. Grease and flour a 9” x 5” loaf pan
Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl and stir well with a fork
In a large bowl mix the wet ingredients together well.
Add the dry ingredients to the bowl and blend by hand with a spatula. When not quite blended add the nuts and just gently blend until no streaks of flour remain. Do not over-blend. You may add 1/4 cup of raisins with the nuts if you like.
Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until top is golden and splits slightly. To test for doneness a knife or toothpick stuck in the center of the loaf should come out clean. Bake for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes but test at 1 hour.
Cool on a rack and then take out of pan after it cools for about 20 minutes. You can serve warm with butter or cream cheese.
Notes
* for a less sweet bread - reduce sugar to 1/4 cup.
** you may make a combination of whole wheat and white flour or use gluten-free baking mix.