Special Banana Nut Bread

Special Banana Nut Bread

SERVINGS: 832
CATEGORY: Breads
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 1 hour + cooling

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 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 peel

Method:

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 cup pecans.
2. Transfer to two greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.  Yield: 2 loaves.