At this cold time of the year, I really enjoy baking and having the oven on, but am tired of the sugar-centric holiday style of baking and like most people, I imagine, I’m trying to keep things healthy for the new year. That means, for baking, lots of low sugar muffins, baked oatmeals and other healthy snacks. I have adapted my favorite, sugary banana bread to transform it into a healthy alternative! Slice soon after it’s fresh out of the oven for a warm and moist treat, or divvy the batter into cupcake trays for snacks over a couple days.

Yield: Makes one 9”x 5” loaf, 12 muffins, or 3 – 5 ¾ x 3 ¼” loaves.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Make the applesauce: Peel the apples, remove the cores and cut them in slices. Put the apple slices in a microwave safe container and microwave on high for 4-8 minutes. You want the applesauce to be thick with little or no chunks. It is best to check every two minutes and give it a stir with a whisk. Once it’s cooked to the consistency desired, whisk the apples hard to break up any final chunks. Set aside to cool to room temperature.

Grease and flour the pan(s) using a thin coating of non-stick spray, butter/margarine, or shortening and then a light dusting of flour.

Next, put your peeled bananas in a mixing bowl and mash them into a paste. Mix in the eggs and the sugar and stir until combined.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Once the apple sauce has cooled, add it into the banana mixture and beat until smooth. Add in the dry ingredients, a third at a time, and mix till combined. Scrape batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula.

Bake 60-70 minutes, until a cake tester/toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to cooling rack and leave in pan until it has cooled slightly. Remove from pan by flipping pan upsidedown over a plate (use a knife around the sides of the loaf to loosen it, if needed).

*  If your bananas are only slightly spotted and not as ripe as wanted, you can hurry the process up by putting them in the freezer for a few hours, or by rolling them in your hands — skin on, of course, then remove skin after rolling.