Yield: one 5-8″ loaf

Bananas intended for morning smoothies ended up in one moist and delicious breakfast quick bread. A peanut butter streusel was just the little extra somethin’-somethin’ it needed to set it apart from ordinary banana bread which is admittedly hard to beat.

Batter:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
(or substitute 2 cups white whole wheat flour for both flours) ½ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk (plain or vanilla would be good too)
3 very ripe bananas, peeled and pureed or mashed well by hand
2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract

Streusel:
2 tablespoons crunchy “natural” peanut butter
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 5 x 8” metal loaf pan with non-stick spray.

To make batter, place all dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in oil, soy milk, banana and extract(s). Stir together just until wet and dry ingredients are combined. Spoon batter into pan and gently smooth top.

In a small bowl, combine streusel ingredients with your fingers. Sprinkle streusel over the top of the banana bread and, using the palm of your hand, gently but firmly press it into the surface of the batter. Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or nearly clean. There should be no raw batter clinging to the pick. Cool for 10 minutes in pan on wire rack. Run a knife around edges, remove from pan onto a plate or your hand and then invert with streusel side up onto rack. Cool completely before slicing.