If you’re doing some baking with the little ones this week, this easy banana loaf is sure to be a winner!

This banana loaf is utterly delicious and super easy to make. It’s ideal to make when you have some bananas to use up and only requires a handful of other store cupboard ingredients. Use the recipe below to make a plain banana cake, or see our top tips below for how to add nuts, chocolate chips or spices.

Ready in: 1.5 hours

Serves: 10

Ingredients

225g very ripe banana (approximately 3 medium)
3 large eggs
100g brown sugar
150ml vegetable oil
275g self-raising flour
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp baking powder

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a 900g loaf tin and line with baking parchment.

2. Peel the bananas and mash with a fork. The bananas must be very ripe to get the right texture for the cake, very ripe bananas with black skin are the best to use.

3. Tip the mashed banana into a large mixing bowl and add the eggs, sugar and oil. Use a whisk to combine.

4. Next, add the flour, mixed spice and baking powder. Whisk together until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the prepared tin.

5. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes, or until the cake is well risen and skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

6. One cooked, allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack. Cut into slices and serve – it’s tasty served both warm and cold.

Tips:
~ You could add a handful of sultanas, chocolate chips or nuts into the batter before pouring into the tin. If you add any extra ingredients, increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
~ Try the banana bread lightly toasted under the grill and topped with butter.