Rich and Creamy Banana Bread

Fat-free cream cheese in the batter adds a tang, but not too much richness. Bananas and cinnamon round out the flavor combination.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 8-ounce package fat-free cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 large bananas, mashed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Baking spray coating (Pam with flour)

Directions:

Cream butter and cream cheese together. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla. Combine and add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir until dry ingredients are just moistened. Place batter into a 9x5-inch loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray that has flour in it. Bake at 350 degrees until an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 70-80 minutes. Allow to cool in pan about 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Wrap and store overnight in refrigerator for easier slicing.

Number of Servings: 1 large loaf

Notes from the Cook: The cream cheese and large amount of bananas make this very creamy bread, great for breakfast. It also tastes great with a little peanut butter spread on a slice.