BANANA BREAD with WALNUT CRUMBLE

Yesterday I picked up some discounted over ripe bananas from the grocery store and the grandbabies and I made banana bread with a twist!

Picture this: the ultimate comfort treat of a moist, banana-packed bread topped with a crunchy walnut crumble. It's like a hug in every bite! Trust me, this recipe will have you coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds)!  We like it warm or cold with a thick slathering of butter on it. You've gotta give it a try!

Makes 2 loaves

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup white sugar

• 4 eggs at room temperature

• 2 tsp vanilla

• 3 cups mashed bananas (about 5-6 medium sized)

Walnut Crumble

• 2/3 cups chopped walnuts

• 1/2 cup flour

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 5 tbsp salted butter, slightly melted

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon , optional

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350°F.

• Grease and flour a loaf pan. (or line with parchment paper)

• In one bowl, blend the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.

• In another medium/large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together with a hand mixer for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, mashed bananas and vanilla and mix well.

• Pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and stir just until combined. Traces of dry flour is ok.  Do not over-mix or you will end up with heavy dense loaves.

• Pour the batter into the greased or lined loaf pans.

• In another small bowl, using your fingers, mix the crumble ingredients together.  Spread evenly over the two batter filled pans.

• Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Allow to cool in the tins for 5-10 minutes before removing from the pans and letting cool completely on a tea towel or cooling rack.