Zucchini Bread Bonanza

My husband is a tea bread freak! Seriously - get him around pumpkin, banana or zucchini bread and you lose him for at least an hour. Having a choice of both my Zucchinis from my home garden as well as amazing ones from our local Farmers Market - I have been making lots of Zucchini bread lately - I even made some for my pops for his birthday this year. I have tried a few recipes and the one below is my favorite from EatingWell.com

This is a great way to get your whole grains as well as veggies! I used my homemade apple sauce in it as well and that was a tasty upgrade! Also, did versions with Cranberries and Almonds. So Good!! Hope you enjoy! Id love to hear about any other variations too!

Zucchini-Walnut Loaf
Ingredients

• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large egg whites, at room temperature (see Tip)
• 1 cup sugar, or 1/2 cup
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, (optional)
• 1 cup grated zucchini, lightly packed (about 8 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 mini 6-by-3-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.
3. Whisk egg whites, sugar (or Splenda), applesauce, oil and lemon extract (if using) in a medium bowl. Stir in zucchini.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients; slowly, mix in the zucchini mixture with a rubber spatula. Fold in walnuts. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pans.
5. Bake the loaves until a toothpick comes out almost clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely.

Tips & Notes

• Tip: To bring cold eggs to room temperature quickly: Place in a mixing bowl and set it in a larger bowl of warm water for a few minutes; the eggs will beat to a greater volume.

Nutrition

Per slice: 118 calories; 3 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 88 mg sodium; 37 mg potassium.