Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is an essential step, as it ensures your bread bakes evenly and rises beautifully.
Prepare an 8×4 inch loaf pan by spraying it with nonstick spray. This will prevent the bread from sticking, allowing for an effortless release.
In a medium bowl, combine the whole wheat pastry flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir these dry ingredients together until well mixed.
Next, stir in the chopped dates and apricots. This step infuses the bread with flavor and texture, making every bite delightful.
In a separate bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. It’s fine if there are a few small lumps; this adds character to the bread.
Now, add the applesauce, egg, vanilla, and milk to the mashed bananas. Stir well to combine these wet ingredients.
Pour the banana mixture onto the flour mixture. Gently stir until just blended; be careful not to over-mix or the bread may turn out tough.
Scrape the dough into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. This will create a lovely shape as it bakes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the bread is ready.
Once done, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, gently turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. It's essential to let it cool; this helps the flavors develop even further!
