• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
• 1 Tbsp grated orange rind
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 to 1 cup sugar (to taste)
• 2 large eggs (or 1 egg and 2 egg whites)
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans (almonds also work well)

Topping (optional):

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped orange rind

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
3. In large mixing bowl, mix melted butter or margarine and orange rind well. Add orange juice and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until sugar is dissolved.
4. While continuing to beat, add eggs one at a time.
5. Add the flour mixture and blend well with a wooden spoon. Stir in pecans.
6. Pour mixture into a greased and floured (bottom and sides) 9 1/4" loaf pan. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, until loaf begins to separate from the edges of the pan and tester comes out clean.
7. Topping (optional) For glaze, combine water, sugar and orange rind in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook about 10 minutes more, until a thick syrup forms. Pour syrup over bread that has cooled.
8. Allow glaze to cool and harden before serving.

(Carole OR)