Banana Bread with Dates

The BEST banana bread you will have! And if you see banana bread as a dessert, this one can just be added as a healthy snack! See why below:

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of sugar

• 1/4 cup of olive oil or applesauce

• 1 egg

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon allspice

• 3-4 bananas, mashed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons of water

• 1 cup chopped pitted dates

• optional: nuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, beat together the oil and sugar. Add the egg and mix well.

3. In a medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and all spice.

4. In another bowl, combine the bananas, water and vanilla extract.

5. Add banana mixture and flour mixture alternatively to the sugar mixture, combining well after each addition (about 3-4 additions).

6. Stir in dates and nuts (if desired).

7. Turn mixture into a greased and floured 9" x 5" loaf pan.

8. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

9. Cool for 10 minutes then remove from pan and let cool on wire rack before slicing.