This is our favorite banana nut bread recipe. We especially like it because the mixture of nuts, brown sugar and butter are layered on top and on the bottom with the banana bread in the middle. It is very moist and yummy!

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 12 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 3 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup mashed, ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Combine 4 tbsp. butter with walnuts, brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until mixture is crumbly and set aside.

Cream remaining butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Combine eggs with bananas, sour cream and remaining vanilla and blend into butter and sugar mixture. Gradually stir in flour mixture and stir just until batter is blended.

Remove half of the brown sugar-nut mixture for later use. Pat remaining sugar-nut mixture in an even layer in the bottom of a greased 9x5x3 loaf pan. Top with batter and spread smooth. Sprinkle with remaining sugar-nut mixture.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This banana bread is excellent served with fresh fruit, whipped cream or all by itself.