Banana Pecan Loaf

Name: Banana Pecan Loaf
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 1 loaf (16 slices).
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; PINEAPPLE SPREAD:; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup canned crushed pineapple, well drained

We slice this banana bread so thick it is almost embarrassing—but we need fat slices to deliver ample portions of the Pineapple Spread. When beating the cream cheese for the spread, beat the cheese until it is as light and fluffy as whipped cream. —Lee Ann Miller, Millersburg, Ohio

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
PINEAPPLE SPREAD:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup canned crushed pineapple, well drained

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture. Fold in pecans.
Transfer to a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and pineapple. Serve with bread.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice with 4-1/2 teaspoons spread: 275 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 223mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Originally published as Banana Nut Bread in Taste of Home October 2011

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Eulalia42

Jan 2, 2015

Wonderful! This is the best banana bread recipe I've seen in years. My family loved it!!! The pineapple spread was magnificent - and I don't even like pineapple!
kranenburgk

Jul 3, 2014

I have been making banana bread for 40 years or more and this is the very best recipe that I have found!! My husband and I love the pecans (I usually use walnuts) and the brown sugar gives this bread a moist and sweet flavor. Thank you so much!
sarahdraper08

Jun 24, 2014

Easy to make and sooo good! Next time I'll try the pineapple spread!
Peggie0203

Jan 26, 2014

Exceptionally good loaf! I love the cake-like texture and mild flavour. This is my new favorite banana loaf recipe.
dcscake_OH

Jan 14, 2014

This is a good recipe, I substituted the brown sugar with brown sugar blend. That did give it an after taste, so next time I make it, I will only substitute half of the brown sugar with it. Other than that if was great.
mikelssword

Jan 13, 2014

This is a fantastic recipe! I like to keep mini loaves of bread in my freezer for instant gifts so I doubled this recipe, added 2 tsp. of banana flavoring and baked it in 14 mini loaf pans and made one cupcake (for tasting purposes of course). Great recipe. I will use this one for my go to Banana Bread from now on.
Loiscooks

Jan 13, 2014

This was just okay. It did not have much of a banana flavor. I think it might taste better with another banana or two. I was looking for another banana bread recipe, and I ran across this. I did not make the spread as we just prefer the bread. It was okay, but not something I will make again.
lcouturier

Jan 13, 2014

add coconut to the spread, then you have a tropical snack!
ldee87

Jan 13, 2014

I have used various different recipes for banana bread, but this one is a keeper for me and my family.
bakergirlmd

Jan 12, 2014

If you are adventurous, add 5 mashed bananas instead of three! Also, dark chocolate chip chips are wonderful, but just 1/2 cup!