Mmmmmmm.... Banana nut bread! I grew up eating it and never get tired of it. It's like comfort food. I've played around and come up with this super moist version with a nutty topping. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 C brown sugar
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 C flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3-4 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 C pecans, toasted and chopped
Topping:
- 1/2 C dark brown sugar
- 1/2 C chopped, toasted pecans
- 2 TBL butter, melted
- 2 TBL flour
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Put the pecans on a sheet tray and put them in the oven to toast. I do this while my oven is warming up. It should take about 5-10 minutes.
In a mixer, combine the butter, applesauce, and cream cheese until creamy. Add the sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs one at a time and then add the vanilla..
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture mixing until just combined. Stir in the mashed bananas and toasted pecans. Pour the batter into 2 greased loaf pans.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, dark brown sugar, toasted pecans, and flour to make a crumbly mixture. Sprinkle 1/2 on each loaf. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Looks good, right?
Enjoy!
Lynn
