Randy's New Favorite Banana Bread!

Armed with my highlighter and two new cookbooks, I sat down one afternoon and chose the recipes I wanted to try.  I happened to have some over-ripe bananas, so it was perfect that I found a recipe that I had all of the ingredients and wanted to test out a new bread.  I found one that I've fallen in love with and have since made 3 times.  Mind you, I've only had this recipe for less than a month!  I LOVE it.  Even if I've only had a small pinch to taste:)  *Only 7 more days of this diet!!!  Anywhoooo...  I had to share the recipe.  It's from my good friend, Shannon.  She's also the one that coordinated the whole cookbook and asked for the recipe share.  I'm forever in her debt!

Cream Cheese Banana Bread
3/4 c. butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
3 c. flour (I use 1 cup white & 2 cups wheat)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1 cup nuts (optional)

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
Combine flour and next three ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended.  Stir in bananas, nuts (optional) and vanilla.  Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4" loaf pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan.  (I found that after one hour, my banana bread wasn't completely cooked through.  I ended up baking it for an extra 10-15 minutes.)  Cool bread in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.  Removed from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.

**I personally filled (4) 2x6x3"pans with 1 cup batter each and (1) 3x7.5x4" pan with remaining.  I only had to bake for 45 minutes.  I also sprinkle a pinch of sugar on the tops before baking.  It gives it a sweet crunch that is irresistible:)