Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread

This recipe makes 2 - 8"x 4" pans.

3/4 Cup butter, softened
1 - 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 Cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 Cups all purpose flour(plain flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and  1/2 Cups mashed bananas(about 4 bananas)
1 Cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda,and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanilla. Spoon the batter into two greased and floured 8"x 4" bread(loaf)pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean and the sides will pull away from the pan.  Cool bread in pans for 10 minutes on wire racks.  Remove from pans and turn top side up, let cool for 30 minutes before slicing.

Slicing Tip:  If you will use a serrated knife the bread will slice much easier.