Cream Cheese Banana Bread

 

Here's another family favorite!  I believe it came from a Southern Living recipe.  They have a lower calorie/fat version as well.   Of course I say, why mess with perfection?

 

CREAM CHEESE BANANA BREAD

 

¾ cup butter, softened

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium)

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

½ teaspoon vanilla extract
 

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
 

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients, gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended.  Stir in bananas, pecans and vanilla.  Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8” x 4” loaf pans.
 

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary.  Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.  Remove from pans and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.

(Also can make as 24 muffins…bake 25 minutes.)
 

Can add an additional 1 cup chopped pecans evenly over batter in pans before baking.  After baking the bread, you can add a glaze of 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice and 1 tsp orange zest.
 

Makes 2 loaves
 

Prep 15 minutes       Bake 1 hour        Cool 40 minutes

 

Enjoy!!!

 

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