Southern Banana Nut Bread

"This down-home banana bread recipe features pecans and bananas in both the bread and the topping. No one can resist a freshly baked slice."

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Yields: 2 loaves

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter flavor shortening
• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1  cup  mashed ripe banana
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2  cups self-rising flour
• 1⁄2 cup buttermilk
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped pecans

• Topping

• 1⁄4-1⁄3 cup  mashed ripe banana
• 1 1⁄4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon lemon juice
•  additional chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar; beat in eggs. Blend in bananas and vanilla. Add flour alternately with buttermilk. Fold in pecans. Pour into two greased 8 x 4 x 2 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack; cool completely.
2. For topping, combine bananas, confectioners' sugar and lemon juice; spread over loaves. Sprinkle with pecans.