Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract, stirring vigorously to mix.

Add in the remaining ingredients and mix until you have a smooth batter.

Empty into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 50 to 60 minutes, until the top is a dark golden color. Remove from oven, let cool for 10 minutes, then turn out of the pan onto a cooling rack to cool the rest of the way.

While the banana bread is baking, prepare the frosting: Using a hand mixer on low, blend together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, then add in the confectioners’ sugar and milk. Set aside until banana bread is completely cool before spreading on top and sprinkling with nuts.