Almond Banana Bars

• 1 cup chopped natural almonds
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ginger
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 large)
• 2 Eggs
• Buttermilk-Caraway Icing

Preparation

1 Spread almonds in shallow pan and place in 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly toasted.
2 Remove from pan and cool. Mix flours, germ, sugar, baking powder, salt, ginger and cinnamon in large bowl.
3 In another bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, bananas and eggs. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture, add almonds and mix
4 Pour batter into greased and floured 9-inch square baking pan.
5  Bake at 350 degrees, 45 minutes, or until pick inserted comes out clean. Cool. Glaze with Buttermilk-
6 Caraway Icing. Cut into bars.
7 Buttermilk-Caraway Icing: Mix 2 Tbs. buttermilk, 1/2 tsp.
8 caraway seeds and 1/4 tsp. almond extract into 1 1/2 cups sifted powder sugar.

Source: Almond Board of California