Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread Southern Living
Who doesn't love a slice of soft and fluffy banana bread? Add some cream cheese and nuts to the mix and you get a deliciously rich and decadent treat that will satisfy any sweet tooth. If you're looking for a recipe that will impress your friends and family, this Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread from Southern Living is the perfect choice.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened.
- 4 oz of cream cheese, softened.
- 2 cups of sugar.
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten.
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
- 1 tsp of baking powder.
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda.
- 1/2 tsp of salt.
- 1 1/2 cups of mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium).
- 1 cup of chopped pecans (optional).
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Note: If you're lactose intolerant, you can substitute the cream cheese for lactose-free cream cheese or use dairy-free cream cheese alternatives like Daiya or Tofutti.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and beat again until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture in three additions, alternating with the mashed bananas.
- Stir in the pecans and vanilla extract.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and cooling it completely on a wire rack.
Variations
If you want to mix things up, try these variations:
- Replace the pecans with walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts.
- Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the batter for an even richer taste.
- Top the bread with a cream cheese frosting and more chopped nuts.
- Use different types of bananas for a more complex flavor. Overripe bananas work best, but if you want to try something different, use red bananas, baby bananas, or apple bananas.
- Make mini loafs instead of one large loaf. Reduce the baking time to 35-40 minutes for mini loafs.
Conclusion
Now that you have the recipe for this delicious Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread from Southern Living, you can impress your loved ones with your baking skills. This sweet treat is perfect for breakfast, afternoon tea, or as a dessert. It's easy to make, and the variations are endless, so feel free to experiment and make it your own. Happy baking!