CREAM CHEESE BANANA-NUT BREAD

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 (8-oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

(I also added 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon cloves)

1-1/2 cups mashed bananas (1-1/4 pounds unpeeled, about 4 medium)((I used five frozen)

1 cup chopped nuts, (I actually had about 1-1/2 of broken pecans) and I added about 1 cup of coconut - I toasted both in the oven before adding.)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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, baking powder, soda and salt (I added the spices here also); gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, (coconut if using) pecans and vanilla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured (8"x4") pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a long wooded pick inserted in the center comes out clean and sides pull away from the pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing. Makes 2 loaves.

Delicious!