Banana Bread with Pecans

For a while I have had this recipe, Banana Bread with Pecans, that I found on my Food Network app on my iPhone. Last week we finally had enough "bad" bananas to make it, but then I didn't have enough butter. What are the odds? So this morning, before I went to work, I made it! And all I have to say is, I make a mean banana bread!!!! haha

It has in it;
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 overripe bananas
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sicks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
- confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)

Preheat over to 350, and lightly grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
Mash 2 of the bananas with a fork in a small bowl so they still have a bit of texture. Set aside. In a large bowl, blend with mixer remaining bananas and sugar for about 3 minutes, until smooth. Mix in dry ingredients. Don't over blend. Fold in the nuts and the 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 a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Let cool in pan for about 10 minutes or so.

*If you know me well, you know I love chocolate. And I grew up with my Memo making banana bread with chocolate chips. So I put some in the batter along with the nuts. Either way is up to you!

Thanks to mom for taking it out of the oven for me when I was at work! And also sending me a picture. Now I can use it for my blog!

Bon appétit!