Banana Nut Bread recipes are everywhere, and most are delicious. But this one is truly a standout! I discovered it about 10 years ago, and it has been my favorite ever since. Each slice is moist, wonderfully dense, and bursting with intense banana flavor. Toasted walnuts or pecans add a satisfying crunch, while the cinnamon streusel topping delivers the perfect sweet, buttery finish.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup butter, softened
• 1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups of sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups of 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

Process:

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 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 at 350°F for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the sides pull away from the pan.
10. Cool pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes and remove from pan
11. Cool completely before slicing

STREUSEL TOPPING

Mix ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar, ½ cup chopped toasted nuts, 1 tablespoon melted butter, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture over the batter before baking. If the top browns too quickly, cover it with foil for the last 15 minutes.

Tagged: Nut Bread, Bread, nuts, banana, moist