Nutty Banana Bread

Servings: 12

Easy, better-for-you make in advance banana bread. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp. butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and almonds, divided
• Baking spray

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spray an 8×5 inch loaf pan with baking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.
4. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar.
5. Add egg whites, applesauce and vanilla, and beat at medium speed until thickened.
6. Add dry ingredients to your wet mixture – 1/3 at a time – blending on low speed to combine after each 1/3 has been added. Don’t over mix.
7. Fold in most of the chopped nuts, reserving a bit for the top of your bread.
8. Pour batter into your pan and sprinkle the remaining nuts across the top.
9. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool and serve at room temperature.