Special Banana Nut Bread

Name: Special Banana Nut Bread
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).
Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter, softened; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 2 cups sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 cups chopped pecans, divided; ORANGE GLAZE:; 1 cup confectioners' sugar; 3 tablespoons orange juice; 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling YIELD: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

This extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped pecans, divided
ORANGE GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 cup pecans.
2. Transfer to 2 greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake loaves, covering with foil if they darken too rapidly, until a toothpick inserted in each center comes out clean, 1-1-1/4 hours. Cool 10 minutes before removing to wire racks.
3. While loaves are still slightly warm, whisk glaze ingredients. Drizzle over loaves, using a baking pan or parchment under racks to catch excess. Cool completely.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 234 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.