Green Tea Walnut Loaf

Did you know you could bake with green tea? It’s yet another way to get more of the super beverage into your diet. Here, the antioxidant-packed steeped leaves are one ingredient in a loaf that’s a great alternative to zucchini or banana bread. Enjoy a slice (topped with a hunk of nut butter for protein) with your morning or afternoon cup of (green) tea.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups whole grain pastry flour
1/2 cup sugar in the raw
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 egg whites
1/2 cup low fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup steeped green tea, cooled to room temperature
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup nut butter, divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cloves, and cinnamon in large bowl.
3. Whisk egg whites, yogurt, green tea, oil, and vanilla extract in small bowl until just combined.
4. Make well in center of flour mixture and add egg white mixture. Mix until well combined, then evenly fold in walnuts.
5. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes on middle rack in oven, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
6. Serve with 1 teaspoon nut butter.

WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE In addition to the many health benefits of green tea, this loaf contains other nutritious foods like coconut oil, heart-healthy walnuts, and cinnamon. And while it’s still a baked good, we cut back on the bad stuff by using whole grain pantry flour and minimal sugar.