Banana Walnut Loaf

Banana Walnut Loaf is a moist quick bread made with mashed ripe bananas, olive oil, brown sugar, eggs, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, flax, and walnuts.

The wet ingredients are mixed only until combined before the dry ingredients are folded in. The source keeps the mixing gentle so the finished loaf does not become tough.

Walnuts are stirred in last, and the loaf bakes until a tester comes out clean. It can be served on its own or alongside fruit.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, or part gur and part brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 tablespoon flax seeds, ground
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Method

Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, sugar, eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla and stir until just mixed. Add the whole wheat flour, wheat germ, ground flax seeds, baking soda, and baking powder and fold only until the dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in the chopped walnuts. Pour the batter into a lightly oiled 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a toothpick or fork inserted in the center comes out clean. Makes 6–8 servings.