Florida, Fruit, Gift, Baskets, Recipes and Gourmet items

Florida, Gifts, Fruit, Recipes and Gourmet Items

Orange-Date Loaves

Serve with Fluffy Orange Butter, if desired.

4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons finely shredded Florida Orange Peel

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 beaten eggs

3/4 cup frozen Florida Orange Juice Concentrate, thawed

1/3 cup cooking oil

1 8-ounce package chopped pitted dates

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, orange peel, baking soda, and salt. In another mixing bowl stir together eggs, 1/2 cup of the thawed orange juice concentrate, the oil, and 1-1/2 cups water. Add to flour mixture. Stir by hand just until combined. Fold in dates and nuts.

Divide mixture evenly between two greased 8"x4"x2" loaf pans. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. (Or, divide mixture evenly among four 5-1/2"x3"x2" loaf pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until loaves test done.) Cool in pans for 10 minutes; remove from pans. Generously brush tops and sides of loaves with remaining orange juice concentrate. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

Makes 2 loaves (16 servings each).

NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 140 cal., 2 g pro., 24 g carbo., 4 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 1 g dietary fiber, 71 mg sodium. Daily value: 9% vit. C, 16% thiamine.

Fluffy Orange Butter

The few minutes you spend whipping up this top-notch topping will be well worth the effort.

1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/4 cup frozen Florida Orange Juice Concentrate, thawed

In a small mixing bowl beat margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Then, beat in the powdered sugar.Gradually beat in the thawed orange juice concentrate. Serve at once or cover and chill to store. Makes 1-1/2 cups.

NUTRITION FACTS PER TABLESPOON: 63 cal., 0 g pro., 7 g carbo., 4 g total fat ( 1 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 g dietary fiber, 32 mg sodium. Daily value: none.