1. Preheat oven to 350F. Brown the butter by slowly heating over medium heat until color begins to change and begins to become fragrant.
Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer (or wooden spoon) at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the banana, yogurt, vanilla extract; beat until blended.
Add spices and baking soda; stir to incorporate throughout.
Add flour, stir only until incorporated thoroughly.
Spoon batter into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray or well-greased with shortening.
Top with crushed candied nuts ensuring plenty of course salt and sugar bits are included.
Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
Original recipe from Faith at An Edible Mosaic who started with the base of Cooking Light's recipe for Classic Banana BreadReader comments so far: Browning the butter worked amazing! Next time I will stick with the cinnamon only because it tasted a little too pumpkin pie-ish too me.