Blueberry Bash Bake-Off 2009 2nd Prize Winner Allison O’Brien

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• handful dark brown sugar

Directions:

Boil some water in a shallow pan. Drop the blueberries in for no more than 2 minutes. When you notice some of the blueberries softening, quickly pour them into a colander and bathe with very cold water until they are warm or room temperature. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder. In a small bowl, combine applesauce, oil, and spices plus vanilla. Combine well. Throw about half of the blueberries into this mixture, and then pour wet ingredients over dry and stir with a wooden spoon until just mixed. Fold in the rest of the blueberries, taking care not to break all of them. Separate batter into two greased loaf pans, and sprinkle brown sugar over the tops. You can use as much as you desire! Bake in a preheated oven at 325 for 40 minutes. Do a toothpick test in the middle, and if need be, bake another 10 or 15 minutes. Cool completely in the pan. This bread does not rise as much as other breads due to its high density. This also means that it freezes exceptionally well! (For up to 2 months) Enjoy with your favorite jam!