Banana Nut Bread

6 Tablespoons butter, room temperature

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

3/4-1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup walnuts, chopped (reserve 1/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease/line a loaf pan. Spread 3/4 of the nuts on a baking sheet to toast for just a few minutes while the oven heats. (Note: Don't toast 1/4 cup of the nuts, they're getting sprinkled on top and will get toasted when the whole thing bakes!) When you smell the nuts toasting, pull them out, they're ready!

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices together in a separate bowl, and add to butter mixture. Add mashed bananas and toasted nuts, and mix until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle reserved un-toasted nuts on top. Bake 40-50 minutes, till golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool a few minutes in the pan, then remove from pan to cool on a wire rack. Serve warm!