Banana-Nut Bread

There are so many recipes for Banana Nut Bread and truthfully they are all pretty good. I found this recipe about 10 years ago and discovered it is the best recipe I have ever made for Banana Nut Bread, moist, dense with an intense banana flavor highlighted by toasted walnuts or pecans and a cinnamon streusel topping.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 with dark spots) *
• 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy
2. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating until just blended after each addition
4. COMBINE flour and next three ingredients
5. Gradually add to butter mixture at low speed until blended
6. Add bananas, vanilla and nuts
7. Spoon batter into two greased and floured 8 x 4 inch bread pans
8. Top with streusel topping
9. Bake for 1 hour in a 350 degree oven or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan.
10. Cool pans on wire rack for 10 minutes and remove from pan
11. Cool completely before slicing

STREUSEL TOPPING

Stir together ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar; ½ cup chopped toasted nuts; 1 tablespoon melted butter; 1 tablespoon flour; 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon. Sprinkle over batter before baking. It may be necessary to cover with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent over browning.