Banana Nut Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, I thought I’d work on a fancy’ing up an option that could be used for an early morning brunch, or for breakfast in bed (totally easy enough for the husbands if there’s any of you reading- which I doubt but am going to throw it out there anyway). Quite simply, this Banana Nut Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting is perfect for any occasion but primarily great on the weekend when you have a bit of time to savor it alongside some coffee. It’s what happens when my favorite Banana Nut Bread Banana Nut Bread recipe gets friendly with a rich and creamy Cream Cheese Frosting.
The bread is totally delicious on its own if you’re conserving your calories, but if you are wanting to go for the gusto, I highly recommend topping with a heaping dollop of Cream Cheese Frosting.
And because Banana Nut Bread, with or without Cream Cheese Frosting can look a bit blah, let’s top it with some sliced bananas and chopped walnuts.
- For the Banana Bread:
- 3 medium bananas, mashed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (or pecans if you prefer)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cream Cheese Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar
- 1 Tablespoon milk
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- sliced banana & chopped walnuts to sprinkle on top, optional
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch x 5 inch loaf pan and set aside. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients until mixed thoroughly. Pour in the pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, approximately 1 hour. Cool on a baking rack before removing and slicing.
- While you’re waiting for the banana bread to cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until soft, creamy, and combined thoroughly. Add the powdered sugar and beat until thick and combined. Add milk and beat on medium speed for 2 more minutes. Add just a pinch of salt (if desired) to combat all the sweetness.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled banana bread. Top with banana slices and sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts, if desired.
Couldn’t be easier and will last you throughout your special weekend. If you elect to frost the bread, you’ll want to keep it covered and refrigerated. Also, if you’re not serving it for a brunch I’d only add the banana slices right before serving. Otherwise, they’ll get all brown and nasty looking…and no one wants browning bananas.
Have a really great weekend!
