Creamy Banana Bread

" I have been using this recipe for a few years now, and it remains my families favorite for banana bread! The combination of bananas and cream cheese make this a very moist bread."

SUBMITTED BY: Pam Hall    

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 2 - 8 x 4 inch loaves

US METRIC  

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cups white sugar

2 eggs

1 cup mashed bananas

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

Cream the butter or margarine and cream cheese together. Gradually add the white sugar, and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla. Add flour, baking powder, and soda; mix until batter is just moist.

In a small bowl, mix together chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Divide 1/2 batter into two greased and floured 8x4 inch loaf pans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over batter in pans, and top with remaining batter.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.