Banana bread has never tasted so good. Enhanced with pecans and plump raisins and drizzled with a delectable brown sugar icing.

Banana Nut Bread with Brown Sugar Icing

1/2 cup raisins
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 large bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oen to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour the bottom of a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
2. Soak raising in hot tap water for 10 minutes, or until plump. Drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a large bowl cream together sugar with 1/2 cup of butter until smooth. Beat in mashed bananas then eggs, one at a time until well blended. Fold in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until just mixed. Gently stir in pecans and reserved raisings. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Loosen edges with a butter knife and carefully remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.
4. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt remaining tablespoon of butter; stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar. Beat until thick. Drizzle over bread before slicing.

Makes 1 loaf.