Carrot Raisin Bran Bread

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time:35 minutes

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup wheat bran
1/3 cup sugar or equivalent (Stevia works well, use the amount specified to be about equal in sweetness to the sugar)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cocoa powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 very ripe banana
1 cup milk
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cups (about 3 carrots), shredded
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400.

Whisk the flour, bran, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs . Add the banana and mash with a fork against the side of the bowl. Add the milk, yogurt, oil, and vanilla, and whisk thoroughly. Pour the liquid mixture, along with the carrots, raisins and the nuts, if using, into the bowl with the flour mixture and stir to create a thick batter.

Spray a pie plate or small baking dish with canola oil. Scrape the batter in to the center of the dish, and spread slightly to a uniform depth. Bake for 35 minutes or until bread is firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Note: Whole grain recipes like this result in a satisfying, chewy crumb, very different (and -be prepared - more dense) than versions made with refined white flour. Once folks try whole grain treats like this, many never go back. Well, except maybe for those trips to places that serve a real baguette.

Served up by Tod Dimmick