LIGHTENED-UP SPECIAL BANANA BREAD

Lightened-Up Special Banana Bread image

This cream cheese banana bread has lots of banana flavor and a nutty texture. And with help from our pros, now it's lighter, too! Beverly Sprague - Baltimore, MD

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 loaves (12 slices each).

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 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
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
ORANGE GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture just until moistened. Fold in 1/2 cup pecans. , Transfer to two 8x4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. , In a small bowl, whisk glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 34mg cholesterol, Sodium 157mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (20g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.