Perfect for breakfast or snacking, this No Added Sugar Banana Bread comes together quickly in about 10 minutes. This healthy twist on classic banana bread allows you to indulge in a delicious treat while sticking to your dietary goals. It uses ripe bananas and dates as natural sweeteners. It eliminates the need for refined sugar allowing for a healthier more nutritious sweet treat without empty calories.

It is sure to become one of your favorites and is so easy that you will make this delicious bread repeatedly. It has the classic combination of cinnamon and bananas. The cottage cheese adds a nice protein boost, while also adding moisture, making the cake tender. The dough cake can also be made into muffins, perfect for breakfast on the go or sharing with family and friends. Plus, it freezes beautifully for later enjoyment.

• Unsalted Butter (1/3 cup, melted): Adds moisture and richness to batter.
• Pitted Dates (1/2 cup, chopped and packed): Naturally high in sugar, dates add a caramel-like sweetness to the batter.
• Eggs (2 large): Creates thickness and stability in the batter. Eggs bond with the flour to create the texture of the batter and add height to the bread.
• Daisy Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup): Adds moisture and protein to the batter, giving the bread texture and adding a nutritional boost.
• Ripe Bananas (1 ½ cup, mashed): Cake Flour: Contains less protein than all-purpose flour and has a finer consistency. It creates a lighter crumb and more tender texture than all-purpose flour. You will want to carefully measure your flour. The easiest way to do this is to scoop it into your measuring cup and level off the top with a knife.
• Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): A main ingredient for leavening. It helps the batter rise and gives baked goods a light texture.
• Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Another main ingredient for leavening. It adds volume to the batter.
• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): An essential ingredient in many quick breads, it enhances the flavor of the bread.
• Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Helps enhance the flavors and balances the sweetness of the batter.
• Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): The classic flavor from this aromatic spice adds a touch of sweet, slightly citrus warmth to the batter. A favorite spice all year round, but especially comforting during the fall and winter.
• Whole Wheat Flour (1 ¾ cups): Containing more nutrients and fiber than traditional all-purpose flour, it boosts the nutrients of the bread, while also adding flavor. Whole wheat flour tends to make denser and heavier bread than white flour.
• Optional Mix-ins (1/2 cup total): Try adding your favorite mix-ins such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, fresh banana slices, or coconut for a tasty twist.

• You can use canola or vegetable oil in place of butter.
• White flour may be used in place of whole-wheat flour.
• Do not pack the flour in your measuring cup. Packing the flour will lead to tougher, dense, or rubbery dough.
• ½ cup applesauce may be used in place of the eggs. Please note, this will make a slight change in the texture of the batter, so you will need to add an extra 1 teaspoon of baking powder to keep the dough from being too dense.
• 4 medium bananas or 3 large ones will equal about 1 ½ cups mashed banana.
• Dough may be used in a 12-cup muffin tin instead of a loaf pan. Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 to nearly full. Bake 30-40 minutes until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.
• Freezing for later enjoyment: Allow bread to completely cool, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then wrap tightly in foil, and then place in a zip-top bag or airtight container before freezing. Allow it to thaw at room temperature. Unwrap, slice, and heat slices in the microwave (about 15 seconds).

1. Preheat oven 325°F. Grease 9×5” loaf pan.
2. In a blender, add melted butter, dates, eggs, and cottage cheese. Blend until smooth. Pour into large mixing bowl. Whisk in mashed bananas.
3. Add baking soda, baking powder, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to blend.
4. Stir in flour just until combined (batter will be thick). Fold in mix-ins, if desired.
5. Pour into loaf pan and spread to level. Bake 55-60 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes. Run butter knife around the edges to loosen bread from pan. Carefully flip onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing.