Banana Bread

Ripe bananas, of course, call for banana bread. Over the years I have made lots and lots of loaves, muffins and pans full of this delicious treat. I used a family recipe for years, then found a recipe in Lion House cookbook, but my favorite is this beauty.

It's from the Simple and Delicious magazine/website called

"Lightened-Up Special Banana Bread"

Here's what makes it so yummy......cream cheese.

It's dense without being heavy, but it is moist and tasty.

The recipe makes 2 loaves, although I prefer to bake it in a 9" x 9" pan because it bake more even. Then, once baked and cooled, drizzled with an orange glaze. Yippee!

I have already dove into the pan. I am thinking about sharing the loaf.

Wonder who the luck recipient will be?

• 24 Servings
• Prep: 25 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 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
• 1 cup chopped pecans, divided (I use walnuts )
• 
  ORANGE GLAZE:
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar until well blended. 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 just until moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup pecans.
• Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 235 calories, 10 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 34 mg cholesterol, 157 mg sodium, 34 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein.

Lightened-Up Special Banana Bread published in Simple & Delicious January/February 2010, p46