Classic Banana Bread

Banana bread has to be one of my all time favourite teatime treats.

Some like it slathered with generous helpings of butter, warmed in the microwave or simply on it's tod with a cup of steamy tea. I prefer mine topped with thin slices of 'nana, or if I can't be chewed...then it's just loaf in one hand, peeled 'nana in t'other :)

Whilst I was baking this I had the banana phone song stuck in my head...

Did anyone else see this floating around facebook a wee while back?

Well here it is to get stuck in everyone's heads :)

'ping pong ping pong ping pong ping....bananaphoooone'

Sorry.

I realised that I didn't actually have a classic banana loaf recipe on here. I made this creamy dreamy Blueberry Cheesecake Banana Loaf a while back which is also a MUST, but not yet the staple itself.

I've adapted my recipe a lot over the years but feel as if I've now achieved 'the one'.

So it's time!

Enjoy baking buddies!

What you'll need//

70g butter
100g light brown sugar
220g self raising flour
half tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1 flat tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
3 medium (very ripe) bananas
3 tbsp date syrup (or maple syrup)
half tsp vanilla extract

What to do//

Preheat oven to 160 degrees C (fan) and line a loaf tin with baking parchment.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.

In a separate bowl mix together your flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

Beat your eggs and pour into the butter/sugar mixture along with half the sifted flour mixture and stir until most of the flour is incorporated. Add your mushed up bananas, (consistency of baby food mush), date syrup, vanilla and remaining flour and stir until all the flour disappears.

Pour the mixture into your lined loaf tin and bake for 60 - 65 mins.

Leave to cool on a wire rack before devouring many slices with your steamy cuppa! (In my case - 3 slices in a row...)

I'd love to know how you get on making it, so do leave a comment below if you do :)

Betty x

Ps. Did you see my Cocoa Orange Nak'd Bar recipe? YUMO!

ZERO BADDIES Cocoa Orange 'Nakd' Bars

Yum, yum in my tum.

I have a smug little face right now because I've managed to recreate my favourite bought snack :)

These copycat Nakd bars took about 8 minutes to make, no baking is involved and all you need is a food mixer! I don't know why I didn't make these sooner to be honest.

I've chomped away on more than my fair share for the day, I'll need to start rationing myself!

*Zero Baddies* These not-so-naughty little numbers are vegan friendly and only contain natural sugars.

SO I give myself permission so have about 4 a day...

That's how it works right...

 What You'll Need//

Makes approx 14 bars

200g dates
200g cashews
50g mixed dried fruit
1 orange (zest and 2 tbsp of juice)
4 flat tbsp cocoa powder
1.5 tbsp date syrup (can use honey or hot water instead)

What To Do//

Put all your ingredients except the date syrup into a food mixer and blend for about 30 seconds until all the nuts are chopped up pretty small. Add in the date syrup and blend again -  you might find it blends into a big ball of some sorts, that's grand.

Turn your mixture out onto some greaseproof paper in a dish and flatten as evenly as poss.

Chill in the fridge for however long you can be patient for, before cutting it up into bars and munching.

Enjoy lovelies! And don't forget to comment below and let me know how you get on :)

Betty x

Ps. Are we instabuddies? Pop over and say hello!