Southern Banana Nut Bread

By newbaucher

This down-home banana bread recipe features pecans and bananas in both the bread and the topping. No one can resist a freshly baked slice.

Ingredients

• Topping:
• ½ cup butter-flavored shortening
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups self-rising flour
• ½ cup buttermilk
• ¾ cup chopped pecans
• ¼ to 1/3 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Additional chopped pecans

Preparation

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar; beat in eggs. Blend in bananas and vanilla. Add flour alternately with buttermilk. Fold in pecans. Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely. For topping, combine bananas, confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice; spread over loaves. Sprinkle with pecans.