1/2 c. butter, softened
1 1/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1/4 c. commercial sour cream
2 tbsp. light rum or milk
1 tsp. almond extract
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 1/2 c. chopped pecans
Powdered sugar (optional)

Combine butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs, sour cream, rum, and almond extract, mixing well. Combine flour, baking powder, soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with mashed bananas, mixing by hand. Stir in pecans.

Pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until done. If loaf gets too brown, cover with aluminum foil. Remove from pan; cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Yield: 1 loaf. This is the best flavor of any banana bread - almost like cake!