My mom loves to buy bananas at Costco. The problem is that she can’t eat them all and sends the extras over to my house not realizing that I already purchased bananas. I am the only child, so there are no other siblings to whom  she can donate bananas. So this is what I get  – mom’s bananas on the left and my bananas on the right.

Needless to say I try a lot of banana recipes. Here is one I found this week. I like the smoothness of the cream cheese, it keeps the banana bread firmer and it doesn’t fall apart as easily. The orange glaze gives it a little surprise. This recipe is great with or without the nuts.

Banana Nut Bread with Orange Glaze

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 package (8 ounces) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (softened or cubed), softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped pecans, divided

ORANGE GLAZE:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 cup pecans.
• Transfer to two greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. makes 2 loaves

Next week I will  share my Fudgy Banana Muffins – my children’s favorite. If you have a favorite banana recipe, please feel free to share – Enjoy!

~Homemade in Lakewood, Washington