Quick Orange Bread

Quick Orange Bread

1 medium seedless orange, peeled

1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Cut the orange into large chunks. In a blender, combine the orange chunks and juice; blend until almost smooth.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, and butter; beat until smooth. Add orange mixture and dry ingredients, stirring just until blended. Stir in the walnuts. Pour into a greased 9 X 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.

Bake at 350° F. for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool on a wire rack.

Makes 1 loaf.