BEST Banana Bread | EH Nutrition

It has been suggested that if you are going to eat sweets, it is best to make them yourself. A few tweaks to the traditional quick bread recipe has turned this baked good in to one that you can feel good about eating any time. The "Nutrition Boosters" are not only good for you but they are a way to add in great flavor. Pair a slice with a glass of milk for a delicious breakfast or simply serve it as a mid-afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

Best Banana Bread

Ingredients:

1-cup whole-wheat flour

¾ cup of all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

¾ teaspoon of salt

¼ teaspoon baking soda

1 generous cup of mashed bananas

½ cup skim or 1%milk

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

½ cup or one stick of butter

2/3-cup sugar

2 large eggs

Nutrient Boosters!

These are optional—may add any combination of the following:

1 cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans (may grind finely if preferred)
½ cup ground Flaxseed—Bob’s Red Mill Ground Flaxseed
1 cup Fiber One Bran Cereal
½ cup of Old Fashioned Oats

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 ¼ x 5x 2 ½ inch loaf pan.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl.

In small bowl, mix mashed bananas, milk, and vanilla.

Using electric mixer beat shortening in large bowl until creamy.

Gradually beat in sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add in banana mixture and flour mixture alternately into shortening mixture in 2 additions each. Stir in walnuts, flaxseed or any other optional "nutrient booster". Transfer to prepared pan.

Bake bread until tester inserted tin the center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Wrap tightly in foil.