Banana Bread with a Twist

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
5 medium-sized very ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a standard sized (9x5x2 3/4-inch) loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spices. Set aside.

In another medium bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter, coconut milk, sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each. Add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Add the bananas; mix well. If using nuts, stir them in now. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.

Bake until firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool completely in the pan.

Source: Florida Today newspaper - Thursday, December 29, 2005