Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread with streusel topping

Once I found this banana bread recipe I haven't made another since! It is so moist and the topping finishes the bread off. We like to substitute whole white wheat flour for the white flour.

Recipe adapted from Southern Living

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 lg. eggs
3 c. whole white wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
1 c. chopped pecans (my favorite!)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Streusel topping:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. chilled butter
1/2 c. pecan pieces

Make the streusel topping by combining the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly then add the pecan pieces and stir together; set aside.

For the bread beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Combine the flour and next 3 ingredients (powder, soda and salt); gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans and vanilla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Top with streusel topping and bake at 350˚ for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, covering with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent over browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on racks before slicing.

Debbie's Banana Cream Pie

I got this recipe from my mom-in-law and I love it! I was never a big fan of banana cream pie before but the honey in this recipe adds fantastic flavor and depth and compliments the bananas perfectly. This pie is a must around the holidays and on special events in the Le Bel home.

9" graham cracker crumb crust
1/2 c. honey
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. milk
4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, softened
1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. vanilla

Mix the honey, cornstarch an salt in a 2 quart saucepan. Gradually stir in milk. Cover over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.

Stir at least half of the hot mixture gradually into egg yolks. Stir into hot mixture in saucepan. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in margarine, and vanilla. Cool to room temperature.

Slice 2 large bananas into pie shell. Pour filling over bananas. Refrigerate until serving time. Top with whipping cream if desired and garnish with sliced bananas.