Banana Bread with Brown Sugar Pecans

I know, I know ho hum. But whats a body to do with leftover bananas when you like them green. They get so yellow so quickly. And I have to admit I don't do Banana things typically but this is a great snack for the kids in the morning and perfect with their bedtime tea.


2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 overipe bananas
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter,melted and cools
2 large eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar pecans,finely chopped (recipe to follow)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

In a large bowl sift the flour,baking soda and salt and set aside.

Mash 2 of the bananas in a small bowl and set aside. With and electric mixer with a wire whisk or a hand held whip the other 2 bananas with the cup of sugar together for about 3 minutes,until fluffy and creamy. Add the melted butter, eggs, vanilla and nutmeg, beat well and scrape down the sides. Mix in the dry ingredients just until incorporated. Fold in the nuts and the 2 mashed bananas with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes,until golden brown and and a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes on a rack, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.


Brown Sugar Pecans
2 cups whole pecans
1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons half and half
Cooking Spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl combine pecans,brown sugar and half and half. Spread onto baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until coating is dry. Remove from oven to cool and stir once more. Store in an airtight container.