Bonanza Bread
Bonanza Bread offers hearty, wholesome flavors with oats, nuts, dried fruits, and rich molasses, perfect for breakfast or snacks, appealing to health-conscious and bread-loving enthusiasts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 cup whole wheat flour ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder ⓘ
- 1/3 cup wheat germ ⓘ
- 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots ⓘ
- 1/2 cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts ⓘ
- 1/2 cup raisins ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup molasses ⓘ
- 3/4 cup orange juice ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine your chosen flour mixture with salt, soda, baking powder, dry milk, wheat germ, sugar, nuts, and raisins in a large bowl, then blend thoroughly.
- Whirl eggs in the container of an electric blender until foamy.
- Add oil, molasses, orange juice, and mashed bananas, whirling after each addition.
- Add chopped dried apricots; whirl just to chop coarsely.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl with the dry ingredients.
- Stir just until all flour is moistened.
- Pour the batter into two greased loaf pans measuring 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches.
- Bake in a slow oven at 325°F for 1 hour until the center is firm when lightly touched with a fingertip.
- Cool slightly on the pan or a wire rack, then remove from pans and cool completely.
- Once cooled, wrap tightly and store overnight to mellow flavors.
- Alternatively, bake in muffin pans at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider sifting the whole wheat flour before mixing. You can substitute honey or agave syrup for molasses if desired, but this may alter the flavor profile. If you don’t have walnuts, pecans or almonds work well too. Experiment with different fruits like dried cranberries or figs to add variety, similar to the fruitiness in Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Bars.
Serving Suggestions
Slice and serve Bonanza Bread as a hearty breakfast or snack. It pairs beautifully with cream cheese or butter for added richness. For a delightful treat, enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee. You can also serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or yogurt to create a balanced meal. This bread is a fantastic addition to a brunch spread, similar to Pudding Fluff.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Bonanza Bread tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices in a freezer bag for up to three months. To reheat, simply microwave for a few seconds or toast in a toaster oven until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Bonanza Bread contains roughly 106 calories, with 2g protein, 14g carbohydrates, and 5g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh milk instead of dry milk powder?
Yes, you can substitute fresh milk for the dry milk powder. Use one cup of liquid milk in place of the 2/3 cup of water you would mix with the dry milk powder. Just remember to reduce the liquid content in the recipe to maintain the right batter consistency.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To adapt Bonanza Bread for a gluten-free diet, replace the all-purpose and whole wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the baking powder is gluten-free, and consider adding a tablespoon of xanthan gum to help with the structure. The texture may differ slightly, but it should still be delicious.
What can I do if the bread is too dense?
If your Bonanza Bread turns out too dense, it may be due to overmixing or too much flour. Next time, ensure you measure the flour accurately and mix just until combined. You can also try adding an extra egg or a bit of yogurt to increase moisture and lighten the texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).