Prep time:

Cooking time:

Total time:

Serves: 8

3 ripe bananas

130g butter

130g soft brown sugar

2 medium eggs

1tsp vanilla essence

70g chocolate chips

130g self-raising flour

1tsp baking powder

Rope in some extra help – this recipe is great for the kids to get messy with Method: Preheat your oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Oil and line a 2lb loaf cake tin. Put the bananas still in their skins in a pan with 1 tbsp of water and cook in the oven … Continue reading "A Piece of Cake: Banana Loaf"

Rope in some extra help – this recipe is great for the kids to get messy with

Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas 4. Oil and line a 2lb loaf cake tin. Put the bananas still in their skins in a pan with 1 tbsp of water and cook in the oven until the skins go black. Take out of the oven and remove the bananas from their skins. Leave to cool.
  2. Beat your butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. If the kids are helping give them a bowl and a wooden spoon, and let them at it (it will take longer but doesn’t have to be perfect). You can soften the butter in the microwave a bit first if using this approach. 
  3. With a fork, mash the cooled bananas with the eggs and vanilla essence. Then with a wooden spoon, slowly add your egg and banana mix to the butter and sugar (add a spoonful of flour if the mix is separating). Stir in 50g of the chocolate chips.
  4. Fold in the rest of the flour and baking powder. When thoroughly mixed, spoon into the loaf tin – it’s a thick mix. Bake in the oven for 45 mins until a skewer inserted in the cake comes out clean. 
  5. Sprinkle with the rest of the chocolate chips while warm so they melt on top.

Cooking time included in Prep time

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

To make this canapé you can use shop-bought gingerbread, but I prefer something a bit more savoury.

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

A complex canapé with multiple elements, but the wow factor lies in the surprisingly simple-to-make basket.

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

A super easy canapé that can be elevated with homemade bread and chutney or simplified using shop-bought ingredients. The flexibility makes it ideal for both casual gatherings and more polished events.