Whether you decide to make the alcoholic or non-alcoholic version of this
banana loaf, you won’t be disappointed with the result, I promise.
You will need:
- 3 and a half oz, 100 g, sultanas.
- 3 fl.oz, 75 ml, 4 or 5 tbsps of orange juice, or dark rum or bourbon.
- 6 oz, 175 g, of plain flour.
- 2 level tsps of baking powder.
- half a tsp of bicarbonate of soda.
- 4 and a half oz, 125 g, melted butter or margarine.
- 5 oz, 150 g, of caster sugar.
- 2 large eggs.
-
4 small very ripe bananas mashed, weighing about 10 and a half oz, 300 g, weighed
without their skins. - 2 and a half oz, 60 g, of chopped walnuts (optional).
- 1 tsp of vanilla extractor essence.
You will need a 2 pound, 900 g, deep sided oblong loaf tin or bread
tin, either buttered and lightly floured, or lined with a non-stick paper case
lining.
- Put the sultanas and rum or orange juice into a small saucepan.
- Bring it gently to just boiling point but do not let it boil.
-
Remove the pan from the heat, cover and leave for an hour if you can, or until the sultanas
have absorbed most of the liquid, then drain.
Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 3, 325 f, 170 c, 150 fan.
spoon until you hear it sizzling a little and the knob of butter dissolves.
Alternatively, you can melt it in a small bowl on medium power in the
microwave checking and stirring it regularly until its runny.
well with a fork.
a wooden spoon until blended.
mashed bananas.
extract or essence.
well after each addition.
easily from the spoon.
and bake in the centre of the oven for between one hour and an hour and
a quarter, as you may find that it cooks a little more quickly in a fan oven.
When it is ready, if you insert a fine skewer into the centre, it should
come out feeling slightly sticky but clean.
Leave in the tin to cool, and eat thickly or finely sliced, as you prefer.
This cake keeps well, stored in an airtight tin.