Recipe For Cooking Gift Of The Magi Bread

Toaster Oven Yeast Breads :: Sweet Yeast Bread

Gift of the Magi Bread (T&T)

Posted by BettyBoop at recipegoldmine.com 11/27/2001 2:21 pm

I have an identical recipe to this one which comes from the December/January, 2002 issue of Taste of Home, except I call it "Wonderful Christmas Bread." I have been making this bread for God knows how long. The aroma of this bread fills the whole house. This loaf is full of wonderful flavors that compliment each other. It is very delicious and has an excellent texture. I make this during the Christmas holiday to give out as gifts. My family and friends enjoy this bread and look forward to my making it every Christmas. Give it a try!

2 loaves

1/2 C. softened sweet butter (do not substitute)
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 tea. vanilla extract or flavoring
2 C. flour
1 tea. baking soda
1/2 tea. salt
1 C. mashed ripe bananas (2 med. or 3 sm.)
1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
1 C. coconut
1 C. semisweet mini-chocolate chips
2/3 C. sliced almonds, divided
1/2 C. chopped maraschino cherries
    (I love cherries and always add more)
1/2 C. chopped dates

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 bread pans and set aside.

In a mixer bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract or flavoring (I sometimes use coconut or pineapple extract or flavoring for extra flavor).

Combine flour, baking soda and salt and add to the creamed butter mixture alternately with the bananas. Stir in mandarin oranges, coconut, mini-chocolate chips, 1/2 C. almonds, cherries and dates; mix well to combine.

Pour into prepared bread pans. Sprinkle with remaining almonds (I like more almonds on my bread). Bake 50 to 55 min. (45 min. is what I bake it at; it will depend on your oven) or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool 10 to 15 min. on a wire rack before removing from pans. Cool completely.