Monkey Bread

aka Applesauce Banana Bread

Delicious very moist bread, even better the day after making. You can mix-and-match different bonus ingredients. The first time I used dried cranberries and dark chocolate pieces. The next time dried apricot pieces and walnuts. YUMMO!

Next time I'm thinking of adding shredded carrot and raisins, or zucchini and walnuts, served toasted with low-fat cream cheese and you have a delic carrot or zucchini cake version. And great for my soon to be 2 year old nieces.

4 bananas, ripe
3/4 cup Splenda
1/2 cup+ applesauce (I make it from scratch using a large apple, recipe below)
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp baking soda
1 T baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cup flour (1 c all-purpose & 1 c whole-wheat)
bonus: 1/2 cup to 1 cup crasins, walnuts, chocolate pieces, dried fruit

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and spray 2 9x5 loaf pans.
2. Mash bananas in large bowl and stir in Splenda. Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Mix in applesauce and eggs.
4. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients
5. Slowly add dry mix to banana mixture and mix well. Add bonus ingredients.
6. Pour into pans and bake for 45 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes before removing from pan, cool on wire rack.


*Homemade Applesauce*
1. Peel and dice a large apple.
2. Microwave 3 min in a small bowl.
3. Blend apple (I use my Magic Bullet).

Viola! Homemade applesauce.

Banana Cranberry Bread

This week's leftover ingredient is bananas. This was so easy to make and so yummy that Marc may start buying extra bananas on purpose. This bread comes out super moist.

Ingredients

2 eggs
2/3 cup Splenda
2 very ripe bananas
1/4 cup applesauce
1/3 cup skim milk

2 eggs
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cranberries

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray bread pan and lightly dust with flour.
2. Mix eggs and Splenda.
3. Mash bananas until there's only small pieces and add to mix.
4. Add applesauce, milk, eggs, oil, cinnamon and poppy seeds.
5. In separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
6. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, mixing them together as you go.
7. Add cranberries being careful not to over mix.
8. Bake for about 40 minutes until top is golden brown and toothpick comes out clean.

9. Cool on wire rack.