Lightened-Up Special Banana Bread w/ Orange Glaze

A different twist on banana bread which is lower fat! Can't beat that! This recipe was adapted from Simple & Delicious February 2010 and it states that a "regular" piece of banana bread contains 10 grams of fat and an extra 77 calories! The bread was very moist and the glaze added an extra layer of flavor!! The recipe calls for pecans, which i used and were good but the next time i think i would try it with walnuts.

Ingredients:

1 pkg (8 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped pecans, divided

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and sugar until well blended.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.


Beat in vanilla and bananas.


Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Gradually add to the creamed mixture just until moistened.


Fold in 1/2 cup pecans.



Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Orange Glaze:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

3 Tbsp. orange juice

1 tsp. grated orange peel

In a small bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients.

Drizzle over loaves. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!!

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