Toasted Coconut Caribbean Pineapple Banana Nut Bread

       Caribbean Pineapple Banana Nut Bread

This isn't your typical Banana Nut Bread.   It's tropical and decadent!  So if you are wanting to take your banana bread up several notches, this is the recipe to do it! 

Ingredients

2 T. butter

2 T. light cream cheese

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 large egg

1 3/4 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

2 medium ripe bananas

1/2 c. milk 

1/2 t. rum extract

1/2 c. pecan bits

1/2 c. sweetened coconut flakes

1/2 c. golden raisins

1/2 c. crushed pineapple in 100% juice (drained)

For the Frosting

1/2 c. brown sugar 

4 t. butter

4 t. fresh lime juice (2 limes)

1/2 t. rum extract

powdered sugar

For the sprinkles

1/2 c. toasted coconut

1/4 c. pecan bits 

Directions

Spray muffin tin with cooking spray and coat the in with flour.  Shake out the excess flour.   

Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda into a separate bowl and set aside. 

Place the softened butter and softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl.  Beat them together.  Add the granulated sugar and the brown sugar to the mixture and cream it all together.  Add the egg, ripe bananas and rum extract to the bowl and mix on medium. Gradually add the milk and flour.  Fold in the pecans, coconut, raisins, and pineapple.  Bake at 350 degrees until done.  If you are making muffins, about 20 minutes.  If you are baking bread, about 50 minutes.  Please look at your muffins or bread before the end time, they will be done when they are golden brown and you insert a knife in the center and it comes out clean.   Completely cook before frosting. 

For the coconut pecan sprinkles:

Line a pan with foil, spread the sweetened coconut onto the pan.  Cook at 350 for about 10-15 minutes.  Watch carefully and frequently scatter the coconut to evenly brown.  Set it out to cool and add the pecans. 

For the frosting: 

Add the butter, lime juice and brown sugar to a saucepan.  Bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes. Add the rum extract and allow the mixture to cool.  Gradually add enough powdered sugar to bring the mixture to the consistency of  frosting.  Add some sprinkles to the frosting to thicken up the frosting a bit too.  Frost the muffins/bread.  Immediately add more coconut pecan sprinkles to finish the tropical look.  

ENJOY!!!