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Showing posts with label Banana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banana. Show all posts

Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread

We have some of that winter weather here in Northeast Arkansas today that is accurately described in the song as "frightful." The precipitation started as sleet, so ice accumulated on everything, then snow fell afterward. All the schools are closed, but my grandson's school is having their first Cyber Day today. Apparently this is a new idea to have online assignments for the students when school is dismissed for bad weather so that the school day can still be counted. Oh well, that kind of takes the fun out of having a snow day, doesn't it?




I decided to do some baking today just in case we lose our power later. I baked a couple of loaves of this Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread first thing this morning. This is a recipe that I posted way back when I first started my blog, and it is a favorite of mine. Even though some types of banana bread don't appeal to me, I love this recipe made with cream cheese and toasted pecans.

Print Recipe

First toast the pecans:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray. Chop enough pecans to make 1 cup. Now spread them on baking sheet and toast them just until they become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Watch them carefully, as they are easily scorched. Remove from the oven and set aside.


Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (1 1/4 pounds unpeeled bananas, about 4 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed of mixer just until blended. Add mashed bananas to the mixture. Stir until blended. Stir in toasted pecans and vanilla flavoring. Divide the dough between the two prepared pans and bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over browning if necessary. Cool bread in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, cool for 30 minutes on wire rack before slicing.




This bread would also be great baked in smaller pans and would make adorable holiday gift loaves.



These purple pansies look shivering cold today on my front porch. I'm content to stay inside and bake until this freezing weather moves on.
We have some of that winter weather here in Northeast Arkansas today that is accurately described in the song as "frightful." The precipitation started as sleet, so ice accumulated on everything, then snow fell afterward. All the schools are closed, but my grandson's school is having their first Cyber Day today. Apparently this is a new idea to have online assignments for the students when school is dismissed for bad weather so that the school day can still be counted. Oh well, that kind of takes the fun out of having a snow day, doesn't it?




I decided to do some baking today just in case we lose our power later. I baked a couple of loaves of this Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread first thing this morning. This is a recipe that I posted way back when I first started my blog, and it is a favorite of mine. Even though some types of banana bread don't appeal to me, I love this recipe made with cream cheese and toasted pecans.

Print Recipe

First toast the pecans:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray. Chop enough pecans to make 1 cup. Now spread them on baking sheet and toast them just until they become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Watch them carefully, as they are easily scorched. Remove from the oven and set aside.


Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (1 1/4 pounds unpeeled bananas, about 4 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed of mixer just until blended. Add mashed bananas to the mixture. Stir until blended. Stir in toasted pecans and vanilla flavoring. Divide the dough between the two prepared pans and bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over browning if necessary. Cool bread in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, cool for 30 minutes on wire rack before slicing.




This bread would also be great baked in smaller pans and would make adorable holiday gift loaves.



These purple pansies look shivering cold today on my front porch. I'm content to stay inside and bake until this freezing weather moves on.
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

After School Snack Inspiration

After school snacks. We all had our favorites, and our children have theirs. But there have always been stand-bys that moms everywhere depend on, knowing they will be loved no matter how many times the little ones come home to them. Cookies and milk. Veggies with dip. Apple slices and caramel. Peanut Butter and bananas. They are what we turn to when the child walks through the door starving, and you want to make sure they get a little nosh, but don't ruin their supper. And the last one in that list was the inspiration for this dessert.

Oh, and have you seen the mini graham cracker pie shells in the baking aisle? They were also inspiration for this recipe. I've used them several times now and love them. They allow me to make mini desserts that are cute, simple and the perfect serving size! If you haven't, they are right there next to the other pre-made crusts!

Basically I had bought these mini pie shells but had no idea what I was going to do with them yet. Then I started thinking of new flavor combinations for pies, and with my brainstorming, this happened. If you love the flavors of banana and peanut butter together, you're gonna flip for this! Plus, something magical happens when the pudding meets the peanut butter and then they both meet the Cool Whip. It's a wonderful thing.

Now, I know some out there are going to look at this recipe and be critical of just how much help I took from the store. That's fine, go ahead and hate. But I'm okay with it, and I know many of my fellow crazy busy moms out there will appreciate it. If you have the time to make fresh banana pie filling, go for it! Or if you prefer to use a box of instant pie filling, go ahead. I actually probably would have done that myself had I not been able to find the canned variety.

These would be perfect if you're hosting a Halloween party later this week. Kids will enjoy the flavor and size. Adults will love the flavors reminding them of their childhood. It's a win win dessert...

Mini Peanut Butter and Banana Pies
12 mini graham cracker pie shells
1 (21 oz.) can banana cream pie filling
1 (4 serving) box instant vanilla pudding
1 c. cold milk
1 tub Cool Whip
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
Roasted Peanuts, chopped, for garnish

In a medium bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Whisk for 2 minutes. It will be thick. Stir in peanut butter. Mix well. Gently fold in Cool Whip. Divide pie filling among pie shells, about 2 TBS each. Add peanut butter mixture to a gallon sized plastic bag. Cut off tip, creating a pastry bag. Pipe peanut butter mixture evenly over each pie. Top with chopped peanut. Chill to set, about an hour. Refrigerate any leftovers. *NOTE* When measuring out the peanut butter, first run the measuring cup under hot water. This will allow the peanut butter to slide out easily.



Shared on The Country Cook November 1, 2013


Peanut Butter at Very Good Recipes
After school snacks. We all had our favorites, and our children have theirs. But there have always been stand-bys that moms everywhere depend on, knowing they will be loved no matter how many times the little ones come home to them. Cookies and milk. Veggies with dip. Apple slices and caramel. Peanut Butter and bananas. They are what we turn to when the child walks through the door starving, and you want to make sure they get a little nosh, but don't ruin their supper. And the last one in that list was the inspiration for this dessert.

Oh, and have you seen the mini graham cracker pie shells in the baking aisle? They were also inspiration for this recipe. I've used them several times now and love them. They allow me to make mini desserts that are cute, simple and the perfect serving size! If you haven't, they are right there next to the other pre-made crusts!

Basically I had bought these mini pie shells but had no idea what I was going to do with them yet. Then I started thinking of new flavor combinations for pies, and with my brainstorming, this happened. If you love the flavors of banana and peanut butter together, you're gonna flip for this! Plus, something magical happens when the pudding meets the peanut butter and then they both meet the Cool Whip. It's a wonderful thing.

Now, I know some out there are going to look at this recipe and be critical of just how much help I took from the store. That's fine, go ahead and hate. But I'm okay with it, and I know many of my fellow crazy busy moms out there will appreciate it. If you have the time to make fresh banana pie filling, go for it! Or if you prefer to use a box of instant pie filling, go ahead. I actually probably would have done that myself had I not been able to find the canned variety.

These would be perfect if you're hosting a Halloween party later this week. Kids will enjoy the flavor and size. Adults will love the flavors reminding them of their childhood. It's a win win dessert...

Mini Peanut Butter and Banana Pies
12 mini graham cracker pie shells
1 (21 oz.) can banana cream pie filling
1 (4 serving) box instant vanilla pudding
1 c. cold milk
1 tub Cool Whip
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
Roasted Peanuts, chopped, for garnish

In a medium bowl combine pudding mix and milk. Whisk for 2 minutes. It will be thick. Stir in peanut butter. Mix well. Gently fold in Cool Whip. Divide pie filling among pie shells, about 2 TBS each. Add peanut butter mixture to a gallon sized plastic bag. Cut off tip, creating a pastry bag. Pipe peanut butter mixture evenly over each pie. Top with chopped peanut. Chill to set, about an hour. Refrigerate any leftovers. *NOTE* When measuring out the peanut butter, first run the measuring cup under hot water. This will allow the peanut butter to slide out easily.



Shared on The Country Cook November 1, 2013


Peanut Butter at Very Good Recipes
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Soul Food Saturday #20

Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you have something fun, or maybe relaxing, planned for this 3 day gateway to fall. Okay, so I'm not wishing summer away by any means, but with September coming in less than 24 hours, I'm trying to embrace the fact the hot, sunny days are going to become further and farther between. But I'm sure we still have some beautiful weather ahead of us, and hopefully you'll get out and enjoy some this weekend! Bekki is here with the perfect holiday dessert, especially if you're having guests. It takes one of my all time favorite ice cream parlor treats and put a new spin on it!




I saved the best for last. Since most of us have a 3 day weekend and are celebrating Labor Day, we can’t leave out the dessert. This pie transforms banana split toppings into one delicious slice. After having a nice cookout this is a perfect way to end the meal. Super easy to prepare and in advance so it doesn't get in the way of other celebrating that must be had this weekend. This is one you’ll want to keep around, because someone is going to want your secret recipe. Enjoy!
 
 
 
Banana Split Pie {Adapted from Valley View Women’s club Cookbook}
 2 graham cracker crusts
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
2 tbs. vanilla
1 8oz. package Cream Cheese, softened
6-7 bananas, sliced
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tub whipped topping
1 c. Maraschino cherries
1 c. macadamia nuts, chopped
 
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, vanilla and cream cheese. Pour half of    mixture into each pie crust. Layer bananas on top of filling and press them in gently. Then layer pineapple on top of bananas. Lastly finish each pie with a layer of whipped topping, and top with cherries and nuts.


Happy Labor Day weekend! I hope you have something fun, or maybe relaxing, planned for this 3 day gateway to fall. Okay, so I'm not wishing summer away by any means, but with September coming in less than 24 hours, I'm trying to embrace the fact the hot, sunny days are going to become further and farther between. But I'm sure we still have some beautiful weather ahead of us, and hopefully you'll get out and enjoy some this weekend! Bekki is here with the perfect holiday dessert, especially if you're having guests. It takes one of my all time favorite ice cream parlor treats and put a new spin on it!




I saved the best for last. Since most of us have a 3 day weekend and are celebrating Labor Day, we can’t leave out the dessert. This pie transforms banana split toppings into one delicious slice. After having a nice cookout this is a perfect way to end the meal. Super easy to prepare and in advance so it doesn't get in the way of other celebrating that must be had this weekend. This is one you’ll want to keep around, because someone is going to want your secret recipe. Enjoy!
 
 
 
Banana Split Pie {Adapted from Valley View Women’s club Cookbook}
 2 graham cracker crusts
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 stick unsalted butter
2 tbs. vanilla
1 8oz. package Cream Cheese, softened
6-7 bananas, sliced
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 tub whipped topping
1 c. Maraschino cherries
1 c. macadamia nuts, chopped
 
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, vanilla and cream cheese. Pour half of    mixture into each pie crust. Layer bananas on top of filling and press them in gently. Then layer pineapple on top of bananas. Lastly finish each pie with a layer of whipped topping, and top with cherries and nuts.


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Banana Coconut Pecan Muffins

This is one of the best breakfast muffin recipes I have come across in a while. These muffins are made with healthy ingredients, and the taste is wonderful! I know not everyone is a banana fan, but I think there will be some quick banana converts if they try these moist, delicious muffins made with demerara sugar and coconut milk.




Read more »
This is one of the best breakfast muffin recipes I have come across in a while. These muffins are made with healthy ingredients, and the taste is wonderful! I know not everyone is a banana fan, but I think there will be some quick banana converts if they try these moist, delicious muffins made with demerara sugar and coconut milk.




Read more »
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Happy Halloween!!!

It's finally here! If your kids are anything like Monkey, and I think most are, the only countdown bigger than the one to today is the one coming up in about a month towards December 25th! Children everywhere are sitting in classrooms right now watching the minutes tick away just trying to contain themselves until they can get home, don their witches hats, pirate swords, superhero capes and princess tiaras. When Monkey gets home, he is convinced he needs to change right away, and trick or treating should start promptly at 3:45 pm. Well, our city council sees things differently and therefore made trick or treat hours from 6-8 pm, which means I have 2 hours to fill the void with some Halloween fun so I don't have to hear "Is it time yet?" every 5 minutes. So, I'm going to surprise him with these for a yummy, festive after school snack! I know he is going to think they are too cute and be surprised at what lies underneath. Hopefully these will lessen his urge to run out the door a little bit until that magical witching hour. From my family to yours, I wish you and your little ones a very "spook-tacular" and fun filled day!

~Happy Halloween~

My Monkey as Captain America


Ghost Pops From Pinterest
1 banana, cut into thirds
1 (6 oz) container very vanilla yogurt
1 c. sweetened flaked coconut
Candy sticks
6 pieces of chocolate puff cereal

Spread each piece of banana with yogurt, coating liberally. Roll in coconut, pressing to adhere. Dip each piece of of cereal in yogurt and press into banana for eyes. Freeze for 1 hour to set.


Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Oct. 31, 2012
Halloween at Very Good Recipes
Pin It
It's finally here! If your kids are anything like Monkey, and I think most are, the only countdown bigger than the one to today is the one coming up in about a month towards December 25th! Children everywhere are sitting in classrooms right now watching the minutes tick away just trying to contain themselves until they can get home, don their witches hats, pirate swords, superhero capes and princess tiaras. When Monkey gets home, he is convinced he needs to change right away, and trick or treating should start promptly at 3:45 pm. Well, our city council sees things differently and therefore made trick or treat hours from 6-8 pm, which means I have 2 hours to fill the void with some Halloween fun so I don't have to hear "Is it time yet?" every 5 minutes. So, I'm going to surprise him with these for a yummy, festive after school snack! I know he is going to think they are too cute and be surprised at what lies underneath. Hopefully these will lessen his urge to run out the door a little bit until that magical witching hour. From my family to yours, I wish you and your little ones a very "spook-tacular" and fun filled day!

~Happy Halloween~

My Monkey as Captain America


Ghost Pops From Pinterest
1 banana, cut into thirds
1 (6 oz) container very vanilla yogurt
1 c. sweetened flaked coconut
Candy sticks
6 pieces of chocolate puff cereal

Spread each piece of banana with yogurt, coating liberally. Roll in coconut, pressing to adhere. Dip each piece of of cereal in yogurt and press into banana for eyes. Freeze for 1 hour to set.


Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Oct. 31, 2012
Halloween at Very Good Recipes
Pin It
reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hummingbird Bundt Cake

This Hummingbird Cake is an old favorite that is typically baked as a layer cake, but in the February 2012 issue of Southern Living magazine it is featured as a Bundt cake. I love baking in a Bundt pan, so I wanted to try the Hummingbird Cake baked this way. This super moist fruit-filled delight reminds me a bit of a carrot cake, but no carrots, just lots of good fruit and cream cheese glaze!



Hummingbird Bundt Cake
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
3/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Prepare a 14-cup Bundt pan by greasing and flouring or use cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread pecans on a parchment paper lined sheet pan; bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in eggs, mashed bananas, pineapple, oil, and vanilla. Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Sprinkle 1 cup toasted pecans in the prepared Bundt pan, then spoon batter over the pecans. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack and cool completely.
To prepare glaze: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk until well blended and smooth. Add the remaining milk 1 teaspoon at a time if needed for glaze consistency. Pour glaze over cooled cake, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of toasted pecans.


You'll need about 4 bananas and a small can of crushed pineapple for this cake.


Sprinkle 1 cup of the toasted pecans in the prepared pan first.

Pour the cake batter over the pecans.

Bake for 60 - 70 minutes.


Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and top with the remaining toasted pecans.

This Hummingbird Cake is an old favorite that is typically baked as a layer cake, but in the February 2012 issue of Southern Living magazine it is featured as a Bundt cake. I love baking in a Bundt pan, so I wanted to try the Hummingbird Cake baked this way. This super moist fruit-filled delight reminds me a bit of a carrot cake, but no carrots, just lots of good fruit and cream cheese glaze!



Hummingbird Bundt Cake
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, toasted
3 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 3/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large)
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
3/4 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Glaze
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed and softened
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Prepare a 14-cup Bundt pan by greasing and flouring or use cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread pecans on a parchment paper lined sheet pan; bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in eggs, mashed bananas, pineapple, oil, and vanilla. Mix just until dry ingredients are moistened. Sprinkle 1 cup toasted pecans in the prepared Bundt pan, then spoon batter over the pecans. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool cake in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack and cool completely.
To prepare glaze: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon milk until well blended and smooth. Add the remaining milk 1 teaspoon at a time if needed for glaze consistency. Pour glaze over cooled cake, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of toasted pecans.


You'll need about 4 bananas and a small can of crushed pineapple for this cake.


Sprinkle 1 cup of the toasted pecans in the prepared pan first.

Pour the cake batter over the pecans.

Bake for 60 - 70 minutes.


Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and top with the remaining toasted pecans.

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Blueberry Fruit Salad

I found this recipe for Blueberry Fruit Salad several years ago in a Taste of Home magazine. I make different fruit salads, and this is a good recipe with a distinct twist. This fruit salad combines both fresh fruit and canned fruit. There is also a dressing for the fruit salad made by combining the flavors of vanilla pudding mix and powdered orange drink mix, making a very refreshing flavor for a summer day.






Blueberry Fruit Salad
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
1 can (15 ounces) sliced peaches
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3 medium firm bananas, sliced
1 cup green grapes, halved
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tablespoons orange breakfast drink mix (like Tang)

Begin with the canned fruit.

Drain the pineapple chunks and the peaches, reserving juices; set aside. Pour the drained fruit into a large bowl.

Then we'll need the fresh fruit.

Combine 4 cups blueberries, 3 sliced bananas, 1 cup of halved green grapes, and 1 cup of sliced strawberries with the peaches and pineapple.

To make the dressing we need instant vanilla pudding mix and Tang orange breakfast drink mix.

Combine the vanilla pudding mix, 3 tablespoons of the orange drink mix, and the reserved fruit juice. Mix well.

Pour over fruit and toss to coat.

This makes a large, beautiful fruit salad.

This one won't last long at my house.





This recipe was shared with:
Susie QT Pies Happy Friday


I found this recipe for Blueberry Fruit Salad several years ago in a Taste of Home magazine. I make different fruit salads, and this is a good recipe with a distinct twist. This fruit salad combines both fresh fruit and canned fruit. There is also a dressing for the fruit salad made by combining the flavors of vanilla pudding mix and powdered orange drink mix, making a very refreshing flavor for a summer day.






Blueberry Fruit Salad
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks
1 can (15 ounces) sliced peaches
4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
3 medium firm bananas, sliced
1 cup green grapes, halved
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tablespoons orange breakfast drink mix (like Tang)

Begin with the canned fruit.

Drain the pineapple chunks and the peaches, reserving juices; set aside. Pour the drained fruit into a large bowl.

Then we'll need the fresh fruit.

Combine 4 cups blueberries, 3 sliced bananas, 1 cup of halved green grapes, and 1 cup of sliced strawberries with the peaches and pineapple.

To make the dressing we need instant vanilla pudding mix and Tang orange breakfast drink mix.

Combine the vanilla pudding mix, 3 tablespoons of the orange drink mix, and the reserved fruit juice. Mix well.

Pour over fruit and toss to coat.

This makes a large, beautiful fruit salad.

This one won't last long at my house.





This recipe was shared with:
Susie QT Pies Happy Friday


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Baking Banana Bread

I've never been a big fan of banana bread until I tried THIS banana bread. This is the recipe that my sister Helen uses, and I think it may originally be from a Southern Living cookbook. Anyway, it is good banana bread, and in my opinion there are two reasons for that. First, it is made with cream cheese. Anything you bake with cream cheese is just automatically stepped up a notch or two. Second, the pecans in this recipe are toasted. That gives them and the bread a tastier flavor. What I'm saying is - even if you don't like banana bread, you may just change your mind after you try this one. You'll need to start by toasting the pecans. Here's how.


Toasted Pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray. Chop enough pecans to make 1 cup. Now spread them on a baking sheet and toast them just until they become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Watch them carefully, as they are easily scorched.
 
   
Remove from the oven and set aside. You'll need them later. Now let's bake the bread.

Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (1 1/4 pounds unpeeled bananas, about 4 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat 3/4 cup butter ( 1 1/2 stick) and 8 oz. cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. 
Gradually add 2 cups sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk together. 

Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended.

You'll need about 1 1/4 pounds unpeeled ripe bananas. They're nice and ripe when they are at the stage where they look like they are ready to be thrown away.


Mash them to make 1 1/2 cups. My potato masher works great for this. Then add to the butter mixture. Stir until blended.

Stir in 1 cup toasted pecans and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring.

Spray two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans with non stick cooking spray. Divide the dough between the two pans and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over browning if necessary.  
 Cool bread in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Remove from pans, cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before slicing. The waiting is the hardest part.


 Slice and enjoy. Delicious! You won't be disappointed.



This recipe was shared with:
I've never been a big fan of banana bread until I tried THIS banana bread. This is the recipe that my sister Helen uses, and I think it may originally be from a Southern Living cookbook. Anyway, it is good banana bread, and in my opinion there are two reasons for that. First, it is made with cream cheese. Anything you bake with cream cheese is just automatically stepped up a notch or two. Second, the pecans in this recipe are toasted. That gives them and the bread a tastier flavor. What I'm saying is - even if you don't like banana bread, you may just change your mind after you try this one. You'll need to start by toasting the pecans. Here's how.


Toasted Pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray. Chop enough pecans to make 1 cup. Now spread them on a baking sheet and toast them just until they become aromatic, about 5 minutes. Watch them carefully, as they are easily scorched.
 
   
Remove from the oven and set aside. You'll need them later. Now let's bake the bread.

Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (1 1/4 pounds unpeeled bananas, about 4 medium)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat 3/4 cup butter ( 1 1/2 stick) and 8 oz. cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. 
Gradually add 2 cups sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Whisk together. 

Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended.

You'll need about 1 1/4 pounds unpeeled ripe bananas. They're nice and ripe when they are at the stage where they look like they are ready to be thrown away.


Mash them to make 1 1/2 cups. My potato masher works great for this. Then add to the butter mixture. Stir until blended.

Stir in 1 cup toasted pecans and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring.

Spray two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans with non stick cooking spray. Divide the dough between the two pans and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over browning if necessary.  
 Cool bread in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Remove from pans, cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before slicing. The waiting is the hardest part.


 Slice and enjoy. Delicious! You won't be disappointed.



This recipe was shared with:
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