Be a “Sweetie” with Orange Pecan Loaf

This recipe is great for the transition from the sugary high holidays’ period to healthier eating habits that you’ve planned for 2010. Holidays usually overload people with sugar, so Orange Pecan Loaf is a good way to sweeten the hard road to a healthy lifestyle.

Robin McDaniel’ sister shared a healthy recipe of Orange Pecan Loaf, with no butter or shortening. However, if you’re on a diet and you use a glaze, add it to the calorie count. The recipe below makes three mini-loaves or one loaf.

Ingredients for Orange Pecan Loaf

• 2 eggs;

• 1 3/4 cups of plain flour;

• 1/2 cup of Splenda;

• 1/2 cup of buttermilk;

• 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, toasted;

• 1/4 cup of orange marmalade;

• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg;

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt;

• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda;

• 1 teaspoon of baking powder;

• 3 teaspoons of orange zest;

• 3 tablespoons of low fat milk;

• 3 tablespoons of vegetable or canola oil.

Instructions

Excepting the Splenda, combine dry ingredients in a large bowl so that you’d make a well in the center. Then, combine the remainder of ingredients with the Splenda, stirring well. Add the flour mixture and stir until moistened.

After you have coated with non-stick cooking spray three miniature loaf pans or an 8 by 4 inches loaf pan, pour the mixture. Bake at 350^o until the toothpick that you’d insert into middle comes out clean.

Let it cool for a couple of minutes and remove from the pan to cool completely.

Ingredients for Orange Pecan Glaze

• 1/3 cup of powdered sugar;

• 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice;

• 2 teaspoons of orange flavoring or orange juice;

• 2 teaspoons of toasted chopped pecans.

Instructions

Blend lemon juice, orange flavoring, and sugar. Drizzle over top of loaf and sprinkle with toasted pecans.