Walnut Banana Loaf

Bananas are not just for monkeys minions.

They are great because they are packed with potassium, low in salt and has also been said to lower blood pressure. Plus they also make a great pre work out snack for an energy punch! YAY BANANAS!

I buy lots of bananas and I used to try finishing all of them by stuffing my family and myself with bananas for fear that they might go all black and unappetising. But now, I just peel those banana skin away, pack them in zip lock bags and freeze them up to save for future use. Like making smoothies or wonderful banana loafs for instance. Who doesn't appreciate the fragrance of bananas wafting through the house?

Quick tip: If you don't have over ripen bananas, the secret to flavourful banana bread would be to try roasting your bananas in the oven at 180 deg till the skin becomes black. Then you leave it to cool and mash it up for some awesome banana goodness.

How do you like some banana loaf today?

Walnut Banana Loaf

Adapted from John Barrowman.
Makes one 8" x 5" loaf tin

285g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp salt
110g butter, plus extra for greasing
160g caster sugar
2 eggs
4 ripe bananas, mashed
85ml buttermilk (I used normal milk mixed with 1½ tsp of vinegar)
1 tsp vanilla extract

80g roasted walnuts (break these into smaller pieces)

• Preheat the oven to 180C.
• Line a 8 inch by 5 inch loaf tin with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• To the butter sugar mixture, add the eggs, mashed bananas, buttermilk and vanilla extract and mix well. 
• Fold in the flour mixture followed by the roasted walnuts.
• Pour the cake mixture into the prepared tin.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for about 45min to 1 hour, or until well-risen and golden-brown.
• Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Banana loafs are very versatile so you can add in some cinnamon if you may, replace walnuts with almond or chocolate chips. Entirely customisable up to your preference.

HAPPY BAKING!