Southern Living's Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread...healthier Vers

• pecans↗1 1⁄4 cups
• butter↗1⁄4 cup
• (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened↗1 package
• sugar↗1 cup
• large eggs↗2
• whole wheat flour↗1 1⁄2 cups
• all-purpose flour↗1 1⁄2 cups
• baking powder↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• baking soda↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• buttermilk↗1 cup
• mashed very riped bananas (about 4 medium sized)1 1⁄2 cups
• vanilla extract↗1⁄2 teaspoon

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F Place 3/4 cup pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 12-15 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring after 6 minutes.

2. 2

   Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until fluffy and light. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

3. 3

   Combine flours and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture.

4. 4

   Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Stir in bananas, 3/4 cup toasted pecans, and vanilla.

5. 5

   Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch pans. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup pecans.

6. 6

   Bake at 350°F for one hour or until a long wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and sides of bread pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil during last 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks. Let cool 30 minutes.