Streusel Topped Banana Bread

Ok, you all know I am very devoted to my Banana Bread recipe. It's tried and true from my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook and I've been baking it my whole life. It always comes out perfect. I have tried other recipes with different spices or interesting ingredients. I have another with macadamia nuts and coconut that I enjoy as well, but still, I mostly stick with my BH&G Banana Bread.

Well....I have to tell you, I have finally found the OTHER perfect Banana Bread recipe. It has a streusel topping! How can that NOT be perfect? You know I love streusel toppings. And it has some delicious spices too, but they are not overpowering. The texture of this bread is soft and moist. I'm telling you...I'm feeling a bit guilty for cheating on my BH&G recipe but it was worth it!

I had this magazine clipping in my "to try" files and I have no idea which magazine I got it from. I must start writing things down! I hope you will give it a try and let me know what you think!

Streusel Topped Banana Bread

2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ginger
2 eggs
1-1/2 cups mashed banana (4-5 medium)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 recipe Streusel Topping

Preheat oven to 350-F. Grease a 9x5x3" loaf pan; set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and ginger.  Make a well in the center  of the flour mixture and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, mashed bananas, oil and sugar.  Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture and stir just until moistened.  Fold in the walnuts.  Spoon batter into prepared pan.  Sprinkle with streusel topping.

Streusel Topping:
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup packed brown sugar and 3 TB flour.  Add 2 TB soft butter and combine with a fork or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts.

Bake 55-60 min. or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  If necessary, cover loosely with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.  Let sit in pan for 10 min. then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Happy Baking!