Recipe: Banana Bread

I am NOT a banana person.  I don’t like the texture.  I don’t really like banana flavored things either.  But, I absolutely DO love banana bread!  I have tried a lot of recipes over the years, but this is one that I have tweaked over the years and my family loves it!  It makes two loaves and I make one loaf with nuts and one without.  I also chunk or pinch off my bananas instead of mashing them.  You can do it either way.  I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

Banana Bread

3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups banana (about 4 medium), chunked or mashed
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups walnuts, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray two loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.  Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add bananas and vanilla, beat well.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients mixing until just combined.  Do not over mix.  Fold in one cup nuts.  Divide batter between the two pans.  Sprinkle the rest of the nuts on top.  Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.  Remove from oven to a wire rack and cool about 15 to 20 minutes.  Remove from pan and cool completely.

Linked to:
   * Designs by Gollum, Foodie Friday
   * Blessed with Grace, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays
   * And Baby Makes Five, Colleen’s Kitchen Recipe Swap
   * The King’s Court IV, What’s Cooking Wednesday
   * Lamb Around