Recipes

Banana loaf of dreams: 

.Serves 12. Prep time 20 minutes. Cook time 1 hour. 

.175g plain flour

.2 teaspoons baking powder

.1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda

.125g unsalted butter (I prefer to use goats butter as its much creamier)

.150g golden caster sugar

.2 large eggs (or 3 small)

.2 lid cap fulls of vanilla extract (one tea spoon)

.Handful of dried Cranberries and Saltanas (I never put in a specific amount, so put in how much you want and whatever you want. Sometimes I put walnuts in too).

.2 large very ripe bananas and 1 for decorating

.Walnuts for decoration (amount to liking)

First, preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C, gas mark 4. Butter the loaf tin and lightly dust with flour. 

In a bowl add the flour through a sieve so its nice an airy, add the bicarbonate of soda and baking powder. Set aside. 

In a separate bowl, beat the banana (an electric whisk is easiest and gets it really smooth) add the vanilla extract. 

In another bowl mix together the butter and sugar (make sure the butter has been out a while so it is more pliable. Then add the eggs one at a time. I do this whilst I'm using an electric whisk. Add the banana. 

Add the flour gradually through a sieve to catch even more air. This is how it gets very light and spongy. Most recipes say to fold it in with a wooden spoon but I actually still use the electric whisk on the lowest setting. 

Then chuck in your added ingredients. I very much favour the dried cranberries every time. 

Decorate with sliced banana, lengthways or width ways its totally up to you. Then I like to sprinkle with crushed walnuts. 

Put in the oven for 55 minutes. 

I check with a knife at 55 minutes to see if it is cooked and usually just keep it in for another 5 minutes if not. 

Remove and place on a cooling rack. Then, enjoy!!!