Banana Nut Bread

From: Melanie King

By: Janette J. Mackay

Bread:

¾ c. butter, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
1½ c. mashed bananas (about 4 medium)
½ tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. flour
½ t. baking powder
½ t. baking soda
½ t. salt
2 c. chopped pecans, divided

Orange Glaze:

1 c. confectioners sugar
3 T. orange juice
1 t. grated orange peel

Directions:

In large mixing bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add bananas and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 c. pecans. Transfer to two greased 8x4x2 loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. 

Bake at 350° for 1 to  1 ¼ hours or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. 
In small bowl, whisk glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pans to wire racks.

Servings:

2 loaves.