MANDARIN ORANGE AND ALMOND NUT BREAD

Mandarin Orange and Almond Nut Bread image

Provided by Pat Duran

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 c buttery flavored crisco
1 c granulated sugar
1/2 c dark brown sugar, packed lightly
2 large eggs
1 medium banana, mashed
10 oz can mandarin orange slices ,drained
1/2 c orange juice concentrate,unfrozen
2 1/2 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 c chopped almonds

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 375^. Grease well bottoms and corners(not sides) of 2 loaf pans(5x8-inch). Set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer; cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time -beating well after each addition. Add oranges and juice, and mashed banana, mix well.(reserve 6 orange slices for garnish).
3. Add 1 cup of the flour and mix to blend- batter will look curdled , that's OK. In the remaining flour add the baking powder and baking soda, stir to blend..add to batter, mix to blend well. Mix in the almond extract, blend well. Remove bowl from mixer and fold in the nuts until combined.
4. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake in 375^ oven for 25 minutes.. carefully turn pans around then turn oven to 350^ and bake for 30 minutes more or until tested done with a wooden toothpick.
5. Let cool in pans for 7 minutes on cooling rack then remove from pan by running a table knife around edges and turn over in your oven mitt hand and tap bottom of loaf out and place on wire rack to cool completely. --- Make a drizzle with powdered sugar and orange juice or make thicker icing and frost and decorate top with reserved orange slices.