Healthier Banana Bread than Grandma's

This is a very easy and delicious version of banana bread that I found on Pinterest. I was intrigued and wanted to try and make a more healthy banana bread for my family. First of all it uses applesauce instead of oil, and then it uses honey instead of sugar. I also used unbleached, all-purpose flour instead of regular white flour. I am not sure how much difference this makes in the taste or healthiness of the bread, but I personally prefer the texture when I use unbleached flour in quick breads. Plus, I have not had bleached flour in my pantry in quite some time, I'm trying to stay away from overly refined foods for the family. The final result is a rustic, satisfying, banana bread - and who does not love banana bread?

Ingredients

2 cups sifted flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 Cup applesauce

2 room temperature eggs

3-4 ripe, mashed bananas

3/4 Cup honey

1/4 Cup orange juice (this was my addition on recommendation from a friend)

What to do...

The first thing you need to do is preheat your oven to 350° and lightly grease your bread pan. In a large bowl, blend your sifted flour together with the baking soda and salt.

In a stand mixer (I love my KitchenAid!), blend the applesauce and the honey together. You could also do this in a medium sized bowl with an electric hand mixer.Then add the eggs, mixing well after each one. Follow with your bananas and then add your honey. Finally, add the orange juice.

Make a well or indentation in the center of your dry flour mixture and then pour your wet banana batter into it. Use a spoon to gently hand stir the wet batter into the dry flour mixture. Do not over-mix or the bread will be tough and chewy.

Pour your batter into the bread pan and place into the oven. Bake for about 45-55 minutes. I baked mine for 50 minutes but probably could have pulled it out after 45 minutes. My oven does run hot, so it pays to know your appliances!

Let your bread cool down for about an hour, then slice and enjoy! I hope you like this healthy version of banana bread as much as my family did.