Cream Cheese Banana Bread (Southern Living)

I make this in small loaf pans and give to my neighbors...

Prep 15 min, Bake 1 hr, Cool 40 min.

¾ cup butter, softened

1 -8 oz package cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

3 cups all purpose flour

½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium)

1 cup chopped, toasted pecans (or chocolate chips)

½ tsp 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 and next 3 ingredients: gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans (or chocolate chips) and vanilla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch loaf pans.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from 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.