Step 1

In a small bowl, mix sugar, flour and milk with the yeast and set in a warm place for 10-15 minutes until the mixture shows bubbles on the top. **See Note

Step 2

Meanwhile, preheat oven to Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Grease two loaf pans well with butter and then sprinkle about half the cinnamon sugar mixture over the bottom and sides of the pans, reserving the rest for topping.

Step 3

In a medium bowl place flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and spices and whisk with a fork to mix well. In large bowl of electric mixer, place eggs, oil and vanilla. With machine on low, add the yeast mixture and then stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed do not overbeat. Stir in the banana and half of the nuts by hand. Spoon into prepared bake pans, dividing equally.

Step 4

Combine the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture with the remaining nuts and sprinkle the tops of the loaves. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without any wet crumbs attached.

Step 5

Place pans on a cooling rack and let stand 5 minutes, then carefully invert onto cooling rack and remove pans to continue to cool.