Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread

***Makes 2 loaves***

3/4 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanillla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch loafpans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. Cool bread in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.

Source: Southern Living magazine

Italian Cream Cake

This is my Mom's recipe...it is heavenly!

2 c. sugar
1 c. Crisco
1/2 c. oleo
5 eggs, separated
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 c. plain flour; sifted
1 tsp. soda
2 c. coconut
1 c. pecans

Cream sugar and Crisco well. Add oleo and beat until fluffy. Add egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each. Add vanilla and buttermilk alternately with flour, salt and soda. Fold in coconut, pecans and beaten stiff egg whites. Makes 4 layers.

Frosting:
1 box powdered sugar
1 stick oleo (room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese (room temperature)

Beat all together until well blended. Spread on cake layers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

1 large can of sweet potatoes
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 c. milk
1 stick butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. melted butter

Heat potatoes and drain; add vanilla, eggs, milk, 1 stick of butter and 3/4 cup sugar. Mash and pour into baking dish. Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over ingredients in baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Chicken Ball

***This makes a great addition to any party!***

1 can chicken
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese
garlic salt, to taste
1 tsp. liquid smoke

Mix all listed ingredients and shape into a ball. Top with parsley and serve with your favorite crackers.

Watergate Salad

1 medium can crushed pineapple
1 pkg. instant pistachio pudding
2 c. small marshmallows
1 large Cool Whip
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. shredded coconut

Combine pineapple with pistachio pudding. Mix well. Add chopped nuts, marshmallows, and coconut. Fold in Cool Whip. Let chill at least one hour before serving.