BANANA DATE BREAD

BANANA DATE BREAD image

Yield Serves 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

10-12 whole large dates, pitted
11/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, plus 1 tablespoon
1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup walnut halves, coarsely chopped
3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 whole egg
1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cinnamon, for garnish

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Place dates in small pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Turn off heat and allow dates to soften 5-7 minutes. Remove dates from water and transfer to a blender or food processor. Purée until a smooth paste is formed. 2. In a medium bowl, mix 1-1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in walnuts. 3. In a small bowl, combine mashed bananas, yogurt, whole egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Add 1/2 cup date purée to banana mixture. (Refrigerate any extra purée for future use.) Add banana mixture to flour mixture and mix just until combined. Do not over mix. 4. Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Coat bottom and sides with remaining 1 tablespoon whole-wheat pastry flour, shaking out excess. Pour in batter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 55-60 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean. Cool in pan.