Lightened-up Banana Bread

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 24
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup pecans, chopped and divided

Recipe

• 1 in large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar until well blended.
• 2 add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• 3 beat in bananas and vanilla.
• 4 combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture just until moistened.
• 5 fold in 1/2 cup pecans.
• 6 transfer to two 8-inch x 4-inch loaf pans, coated with nonstick cooking spray.
• 7 sprinkle with remaining pecans.
• 8 bake at 350 degrees f for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.