Special Banana Nut Bread

  Breakfast

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.

Special Banana Nut Bread

Average Rating: 4.766233

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling
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

Instructions

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

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