Superior Banana Bread

This has more ingredients than other banana breads but it's my favorite one and it's a bit healthier than others as well.

1 c. banana, mashed
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. applesauce
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 T. lemon juice
1 c. milk
2 eggs, beaten
1 c. ground whole oats*
2 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Add the lemon juice to the milk and set aside. Blend all of the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Mash the banana and use an electric mixer to blend it with the sugar. Add the applesauce and vegetable oil and continue to blend. Add the eggs and beat thoroughly. Add the lemon juice/milk mixture (which will have curdled slightly) to the batter and blend. Add the dry ingredients to the wet batter, one cup at a time, continuing to mix it until it is well blended. Pour the batter into well-greased loaf pans. You may either use 2 full-sized pans or 4 mini loaf pans. For the full-size pans, bake at 375 degrees for approximately one hour until the bread is browning on top and a toothpick or knife stuck in the center comes out clean. If you are using mini pans, bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 min. until the bread is browning on top and a toothpick or knife stuck in the center comes out clean. Cool for about 10 min., then remove from loaf pans and allow to cool completely before storing or eating.

*Place oatmeal in a blender or food processor to grind it.