Tea Infused Citrus & Spice Banana Bread

(makes one large loaf)

dry:
1 1/2 cups flour (I use Nalani's GF mix)
1 cup sugar (I use 1/2 brown & 1/2 white...(Next time I make this I will be cutting this amount down) 
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp salt (if using GF mix make sure the tsp is generous)

banana/liquid mix:
1 1/2 bananas, mashed
1 medium apple quartered & shredded, skin and all 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup fresh orange or tangerine juice + 1/4 tsp orange zest 
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp flax seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon3/4 cup boiling water + 1 herbal spice tea bag (steeped tea)

topping:
sprinkle of citrus zest + sprinkle of cinnamon

optional add-in's:
* 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

3. Heat 3/4 cup of water in microwave or boil on stove. Add the herbal tea bag of choice and allow to steep for about five minutes - until dark amber gold in color.

4. In a small bowl, combine the tea, mashed banana, shredded apple, oil, vanilla extract, flax seeds and orange juice + zest. Mash this all together to soften the bananas even more. This mixture should be warm from the hot tea.

5. Pour the banana mixture into the large mixing bowl and fold until well combined.

6. Grease a standard loaf pan & put parchment paper on bottom. Pour the batter into the pan.

7. Top the batter with a sprinkle of cinnamon and orange zest.

8. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-60 minutes or until cooked through.

9. Allow to cool in pan for a few minutes then onto a wire rack, before slicing and serving.


Really moist, flavorful and good!!! 
Altered slightly from original recipe found at www.thelunchboxbunch.com