With both kids asking for seconds, this sweet bread became an immediate hit. Moist and with a tender crumb, I love the whole grains giving it substance. The fall-flavored spices are just a bonus!
3/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup ground flax meal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
5 Tbs oil (I like avocado oil... but any oil you like will do)
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
5 Tbs milk (we use rice milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 medium sized over ripe bananas, mashed
2 medium sized apples, peeled, cored and chopped
Raw sugar to sprinkle on top
Preheat oven to 350º. Prepare a loaf pan with cooking spray and a sprinkle of Vanilla Sugar (or plain sugar). (Pour a few teaspoons of sugar into the pan and tip the pan to spread the sugar evenly... the sugar brings a nice "crunch" to the loaf!)
In a large bowl add the flour, bran, flax, baking powder and spices. Whisk to combine.
In a medium bowl, add the oil and brown sugar and give it a good whisk to combine. Add the eggs, whisking again to combine well. Add the milk and vanilla, once again whisking well. Stir in the mashed banana.
Sprinkle the chopped apples over the dry ingredients, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently, just until barely combined.
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan (or mini loaf pans, or muffin tins) and sprinkle with raw sugar (1 - 2 Tbs), then place the pan into the hot oven. Bake until the bread is golden brown on top and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and tip onto a wire rack to cool. Slice and serve!
Approximate baking times:
Full size loaf pan - about 50 minutes
3 mini loaf pans - about 25 to 35 minutes
muffins - about 20 minutes (may be 15 -25 depending on the size of your tins)
Note times may vary depending on the size of your pans... keep an eye on the bread as it bakes making sure not to overcook.
