Best Ever Banana Bread

This is a very moist bread. Along with the recipe in Sprinkled With Love (my personal family cookbook) which uses whole wheat flour, they are my top two favorites.The topping is optional, but don't omit it. It really makes this bread outstanding. 


3/4  cup  butter
2-1/4  cups  sugar
3  eggs, beaten
2  tsp  vanilla
1/3  cup  sour cream
2  tsp  lemon juice
5  bananas, very ripe
2/3  cup  applesauce
2  tsp  cinnamon
1/2  cup  finely ground walnuts         
3  cups  flour
1  tsp  baking powder
1  tsp  baking soda

Topping:
6  Tbs  butter
10  Tbs  dark brown sugar
5  Tbs  milk
1  cup chopped pecans


Cream the butter and sugar. Beat in eggs. Add vanilla, sour cream, lemon juice, bananas, and applesauce. Add dry ingredients and ground nuts. Mix just to blend. Do not over-mix.
Pour batter into two greased loaf pans. Bake @350° for 1 hour, or until done. May take another 5 minutes or so, but be sure it is done as it will otherwise sink. Let sit in the pan for 5-7 minutes, before removing to cooling rack.


For Topping: 
Melt butter; add sugar and milk. Cook until syrupy. Remove from heat and add nuts. Pour over baked bread, spreading to all corners. Broil until bubbly. Watch closely.