Banana Nut Bread (updated 26/01/2022)

Inspired by cookbook: A Second Helping, page 88 Author: Alexa Johnston

3 ripe bananas

2 eggs

1/2 teas vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar

2 cups self raising flour

1 teas bicarb soda

½ cup walnuts, chopped or whole (or any other nuts)

a handful of currents (or any other dried fruit)

1. Preheat oven to 180oC (170oC fan forced) and grease a baking tin 12cm x 22cm and line bottom with baking paper.

2. Mash the bananas with a fork in a bowl.

3. Add the eggs and mix and beat with fork then add the vanilla essence, mix with fork again until well combined

4. In a separate bowl sift the flour and bicarb soda, stir in the sugar.

5. Add the flour/sugar to the banana/eggs mixture, mix everything together using a spatula, until well combined but do not beat, just slowly mix it through.

6. Add the walnuts and the currents and mix all together.

7. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for about 50mins - 1 hour, depending on size of the loaf, rotating the tin halfway to ensure the loaf browns evenly. Test with a stick to check for doneness.

8. Remove it from the oven and after 5 minutes invert to a cooling rack, removing the baking paper and turning right way up to cool.

9. Cut in slices and spread butter to enjoy !

Notes - no butter in this recipe ! My friend has even left out the sugar !

You can also add chunks of dates and/or choc bits if you like.

When serving the loaf in slices you can spread with butter and jam or honey.