Taste of Home: Orange Banana Flax Seed Bread

Moist, slightly sweet, and bursting with orange flavor orange fans will simply love this bread. Being an open to suggestion person I read the comments, notes, and tips before actually deciding to prepare any recipe. Characteristics that tell me nope not going to try this recipe include long ingredient lists, vague or complicated instructions, and long process times. Recipes like Amish Friendship Bread that take days until the final production would drive me absolutely crazy! Fast, easy, and delicious is my motto; this orange banana bread definitely fit the Redkathy description.

The original Taste of Home recipe, Orange Banana Nut Bread, called for walnuts. As always, I used on hand ingredients accordingly replacing “nut” with flax seed in the title. After reading several pages of comments, I adjusted the recipe as suggested.

Orange Banana Flax Seed Bread

2 loaves

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 1/4 cups mashed bananas

3/4 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon orange zest - (added per recommendations)

3 cups all-purpose flour - (reduced by 1/2 cup)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped walnuts – (about 1/3 cup flax seeds)

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar, oil, and eggs; mix well. 
2. Stir in bananas, orange juice, and orange zest. 
3. Combine the dry ingredients; add to banana/orange mixture, beating just until moistened. 
4. Stir in walnuts if using. Sprinkle tops with flax seeds.  
5. Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 325 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 
6. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pans to a wire rack to cool completely.

Oh man, the family immeasurably enjoyed this bread, both loaves were consumed in 24 hours. The flax seeds provided a slight, almost delicate texture, contrasting the moist center quite nicely. This left me wondering if walnuts wouldn't be somewhat overpowering.  Promising “most definitely” to bake this one again, I’m considering dark chocolate shavings for next batch. Mmmmm orange and dark chocolate is one of my favorite flavor combinations. Until next time…

Are you hungry? ♥