I’ve recently discovered USA Pan bakeware and bought some to replace some less than stellar components of my kitchen.  Every review I had read gave them 5 stars and after using it, I agree.  One of the things I bought was a mini loaf pan.  I had never thought of using one until I read one of the reviews. She talked about not wanting an entire loaf of banana bread sitting in her kitchen screaming “EAT ME!!!” at her constantly.  This I understood.  By making smaller loaves, not only can you give them as gifts, but you can give yourself the gift of not over indulging and freezing the loaves for another day.

I had some pumpkin and cinnamon chips in the house.  By piecing together a few recipes using the best parts we came up with one that is all whole wheat flour, has a fruity olive oil instead of butter, non fat greek yogurt for tang and body,  maple syrup and raw sugar to sweeten and pecans for crunch.  They smell divine while baking.  When it was time to remove them from the pan, they came out clean—-no greasing required!  This recipe makes 8 mini loaves.

You’ll need:

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup raw sugar or brown sugar

1/8 tsp fresh ground nutmeg

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup cinnamon chips

2 eggs

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup fruity olive oil

1/2 cup milk or eggnog

1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt

1 cup pumpkin puree

Cinnamon sugar mix, as needed. (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and nutmeg.  After mixing, add pecans and cinnamon chips then stir again.  Set aside.

In your mixer’s bowl, place eggs, olive oil, maple syrup, yogurt, milk, and pumpkin, mix until well combined.  On low speed gradually add your dry ingredients and mix until incorporated, but do not over mix.  Divide batter evenly into mini loaves and smooth the tops.  Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon sugar, if desired.  Bake for 35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes in pan.  Invert over a clean cloth or counter space and let loaves fall out.  Place loaves on a cooling rack to let cool completely.  Do not wrap up loaves for freezing until completely cool.  Enjoy!

Note:  The scent of these may be too much for members of your family or even yourself to allow them to cool properly.