Date & banana bread

 

I am always loathe to throw over ripe bananas because they make the best banana bread. 

The recipe I used today makes 1 large loaf & 12 muffin size ones. 

250g salted butter, at room temperature 

200g brown sugar

4 large eggs

200g of pitted dates, cut & soaked in fruit tea to just cover

5 / 6 ripe bananas, mashed

480g flour

2 tbsp of baking powder

1-2 tsp spices of choice (cinnamon, mixed spice, nutmeg etc)

2 tsp vanilla extract 

I used loaf liners / muffin papers so no need to grease the pans

Preheat the oven to 175c fan

Chop the 200g of dates, place in a shallow bowl & add a fruit tea bag & boiling water to just cover. I used peach & orange tea but any fruit or earl grey tea will do. Leave to steep & mash with a fork. 

Cream the butter & sugar till light & fluffy.

Add the cooled dates & the liquid to the bowl & mix again till light. 

Add the eggs & some of the flour & mix well. 

Add the remaining flour, the vanilla extract, the baking powder & spices & mix lightly. 

I first added a serving spoon of mixture to each of the 12 muffin cases, then spooned the rest of the mixture in to the loaf tin. 

Bake for 30-35 minutes for the muffins - check with a sharp knife to see if done. 

Keep baking the loaf for another 25-35 minutes until a sharp knife comes out cleanly. 

I covered it half way with tin foil to stop it browning too much. 

Cool on racks, pop on the kettle & enjoy. 

If I am not going to eat all the loaf over a few days, I slice it & freeze it sliced. 

When a treat is needed, a slice can be heated & then buttered so it is never wasted. 

How do you like yours? Tell all.  

Thank you for stopping by, it is appreciated. 

Dee 🧈🧑‍🍳 📝👩‍💻