Caramelized Pecan Banana Bread

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This banana bread was delightful. The caramelized pecans really did add a sweeter crunch to the bread. In retrospect, I probably should have added some kind of streusel on top. Banana bread is just ten times better with a topping. The bread was sweet without being overly sweet, heavy without being too dense, and about as moist as can be.

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Ingredients

  • Banana Bread:
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups AP flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ...........................................
  • Caramelized Pecans:
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • ........................................
  • Streusel Topping:
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1/3 cup Walnuts, Chopped

Preparation

Step 1

1.Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two medium loaf pans or one large loaf pan.

2.For the Caramelized Pecans: Melt the tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sugar, pecans, and cinnamon, and mix until evenly coated. Set aside and let cool.

3.For the banana bread: Mix together the sugar and butter. Add eggs and stir. Add bananas, buttermilk and vanilla, beating until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt just until moistened. Add in the nuts. Pour into prepared pans.

4.Bake smaller loaves for about 1 hour, large loaf about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Prepare the Streusel Topping by combining the butter, flour, and dark brown sugar until well mixed. Add the cinnamon, pinch of salt and the chopped walnuts. After the banana bread has been in the oven for 40 minutes, remove and sprinkle on Streusel Topping evenly and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool on a rack for at least 15 minutes.

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