Orange Banana Bread

Orange Banana Bread

I love this banana bread.  I've been tweaking the recipe for 2 years now, and I think I finally have something I will stick with.  The orange gives the banana bread a unique taste, without overpowering the banana; it also makes the bread really moist.

Over the years I've also added extras like walnuts, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, etc. and they have all been yummy.  Anyway, I made it last night and Robert said it was the best yet.  Here's what I did:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 3-4 medium ripe bananas, halved
• 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 - 2 teaspoons cinnamon, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons flour, optional

Directions
In a bowl, combine sugar, applesauce, and eggs; mix well.  Stir in orange juice concentrate, orange juice, and banana halves.  Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk; add to banana mixture, beating just until moistened.  Mixture will be lumpy and you will have chinks of banana.  Do Not over beat mixture.  Flour will get overworked if you mix it too long and the bread will be tough and dense.

Stir in any optional ingredients: walnuts, strawberries, cranberries, blueberries, etc.

In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and flour together.  Grease 2  8x4 loaf pans, sprinkle Cinnamon Sugar mixture in pans; evenly coat bottom and sides of pans.  Pour banana mixture into pans.

Bake at 325* for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans and place on wire rack to cool completely.