Jamaican Banana Bread

Yesterday was not a day for going out, it was cool and cloudy and verging on a cloud burst all morning. A perfect day for baking, in my book.
I tied on my apron, did a quick inventory of the pantry, and decided I was making Banana Bread, since I had everything I would need.

JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD

Ingredients:
* Cooking Spray
* 2 T. Butter, softened
* 2 T. Neufchatel Cream Cheese, softened
* 1 c. Sugar
* 1 large Egg
* 2 c. all-purpose Flour
* 2 t. Baking Powder
* 1/2 t. Baking Soda
* 1/4 t. Kosher Salt
* 1 c. mashed ripe Banana (approx. 2)
* 1/2 cup Vanilla Soy Milk
* 1 T. Dark Rum
* 1 t. grated Lime Zest
* 1 T. freshly squeezed Lime Juice
* 1 t. Vanilla Extract
* 1/4 c. Pecans, chopped & toasted
* 1/4 c. flaked sweetened Coconut

For the Glaze:
* 1/4 c. packed Light Brown Sugar
* 2 t. Butter
* 1/2 t. grated Lime Zest
* 1 T. freshly squeezed Lime Juice
* 2 t. Dark Rum
* 2 T. Pecans, chopped & toasted
* 2 T. flaked sweetened Coconut

Preheat oven to 375°. Coat an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with Cooking Spray. Line the pan with parchment paper (over hang the lip by 1 in. in all sides) and spray again; set aside (optional).

Beat the Butter and Neufchatel Cream Cheese at medium speed of a mixer; add the Sugar, beating well after the addition. Add the Egg; beat well.

Combine the Flour, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Kosher Salt; whisk together. In a separate bowl combine the Banana, Vanilla Soy Milk, Dark Rum, Lime Zest, Lime Juice, and Vanilla Extract; stir well. Add the flour mixture to creamed butter mixture alternately with the banana mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture; mix well after each addition. Fold in the Pecans and Coconut.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan; bake at 375° for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Let cool on a wire rack.

For the Glaze:
Combine the Light Brown Sugar, Butter, Lime Zest, Lime Juice, and Dark Rum in a saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cook 1 minute; stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Pecans and Coconut; spoon over the loaf.