Banana Bread
This is a recipe from a low-fat cookbook, but you can't tell at all! When you cut it into 16 pieces, one piece is only 151 calories!
Makes 1 loaf (8-16 servings depending on how you slice it. I personally tend to slice rather thick because it's SO GOOD.)
4 Tablespoons margarine or butter, room temperature
1/4 cup applesauce (sweetened or unsweetened it's up to you, it adds a nice moistness to the bread and cuts down on the use of outright sugar)
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons fat-free milk or water (I prefer using milk)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar (gives it a nice caramel flavor and color)
1 cup mashed banana (use when the peel is mostly brown for extra sweetness. 2-3 medium bananas)
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour (for an added nutritional punch and to ease the guilt a little, you can use wheat flour. It's even denser and has an extra nuttiness)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Beat margarine, applesauce, eggs, milk, and brown sugar in large mixer bowl until smooth.
Add banana and mix thoroughly.
Mix in combined flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add walnuts.
Pour into greased 8x4 inch loaf pan (or muffin tin) Bake at 350 degrees until bread is golden. 55 - 60 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove and cool on a plate or wire rack.
It's so moist and yummy that it doesn't need butter or anything on it when enjoyed. Especially warm from the oven!
