Name: Banana bread
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: Serves 8-10
Ingredients: 3 bananas (about 300g) very ripe and brown bananas; 125g unsalted butter, melted; 125g golden caster sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 medium free-range eggs; 175g plain flour; 1 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda; 75-100g milk or dark chocolate chips (optional, see Know-how for other easy additions); 1 litre loaf tin (approx 21.5cm x 11 x 7cm), lined with compostable baking paper, lightly greased and overhanging the short ends of the tin (see Tips)

Banana bread

Our classic banana bread recipe is simple to make and it doesn’t require much hands-on time or special equipment – simply mix together then bake.

Serves8-10

Hands-on25 min

Oven45 min

DifficultyEasy

Method

Heat the oven to 180C/fan160C/gas 4. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl, then stir in the melted butter and caster sugar with a wooden spoon until well combined.

Stir in the vanilla extract or cinnamon (or use both if you like), then beat in the eggs. Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda, then gently fold in, along with the chocolate, if using.

Pour the mixture into the loaf tin, then bake for 45-60 minutes. The cake should be well risen and feel springy to the touch. Check it’s done by poking a skewer into the centre – if it comes out clean it’s ready. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then lift out onto a wire rack to cool.

Per serving (Serves 8-10)

Calories

290kcals

Fat

14g (8.3g saturated)

Protein

4.3g

Carbohydrates

36.1g (21.8g sugars)

Fibre

1.3g

Quick wins, tips & make ahead

When you line a loaf tin with baking paper, leave some hanging over the short edges of the tin. The excess paper will help you lift out the baked cake.

If you have more brown bananas than you need, freeze them for future baking projects. Freeze them in their skins and defrost at room temperature before adding to cakes and bakes.

Replace the caster sugar with light or dark brown sugar. Brown the butter (keep cooking for a few minutes once melted, until deeply golden and it smells nutty) for a deeper nutty flavour. Add some roughly chopped nuts to the mix for a healthy twist.