Orange Glaze Banana Bread

Orange Glaze Banana Bread

3/4 cups butter, softened

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups chopped pecans, divided (optional)

Orange Glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange peel

1). In a large mixing 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; add to creamed mixture. Fold in 1 cup pecans.

2). Transfer to two greased 8 in. x 4 in. loaf pans. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until a toothpick insterted near the center comes out clean.

3). In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool competely.

Yield: 2 loaves (12 slices each)

Jaxon and I enjoyed making this together, it was his weekly food assignment. I have an unhealthy love affair with breads of any kind...more recipe's to come!

BTW, Grandma White Hair moved to her knew (assisted living) home and is loving it! I'm so glad she's happy there...apparently she's swingin' with lots of new friends and tons of fun things to do.