Wholesome and seductive all at once, this dark bread can be made in a flash. It’s wonderful with tea as a dessert or as a breakfast bread.

　　

Ingredients

makes one 9-inch loaf

　　Oil for the pan

　　2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

　　1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

　　1 teaspoon baking soda

　　1/3 cup natural granulated sugar

　　3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

　　Pinch of ground nutmeg

　　2 medium very ripe bananas, well mashed

　　1/2 cup applesauce or apple butter

　　2 tablespoons safflower oil

　　1/3 cup rice milk or soymilk, or as needed

　　3/4 cup finely chopped dates or dried apricots

　　1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan.

　　

Step 2

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cocoa, and nutmeg in a mixing bowl and stir together.

　　

Step 3

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and add the bananas, applesauce, oil, and enough rice milk to make a smooth, slightly stiff batter. Stir until thoroughly mixed, then stir in the dates and optional walnuts.

　　

Step 4

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is firm and a knife inserted into the center tests clean. When cool enough to handle, carefully remove the bread from the pan, place it on a rack or platter, and allow it to cool until just warm before slicing.

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

Calories: 145

　　

Step 6

Total Fat: 3g

　　

Step 7

Protein: 4g

　　

Step 8

Carbohydrates: 30g

　　

Step 9

Fiber: 3g

　　

Step 10

Sodium: 0mg

　　Reprinted with permission from Vegan Express: Featuring 160 Recipes for Quick, Delicious, and Healthy Meals by Nava Atlas. Copyright © 2008 by Nava Atlas. Excerpted by permission of Broadway, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Nava Atlas is the author of nine cookbooks, including The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, The Vegetarian 5-Ingredient Gourmet, and Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband and two teenage sons (all vegans).