Bananarama bread

So we had some...hmmm lets say "well done" banana's sitting in the fruit bowl looking quite sad that they would be thrown out by tea time tomorrow (it's Monday tomorrow when we do the week shop), "fear not little narnas" I said with the air of an Avenger, "I will use you to make scrummy Bananarama bread! To the kitchen"
I searched Banana bread on the internet but every one said you need bicarbonate of soda, the ingredient which was not lurking in my cupboard. Ha! Whatevs to you recipe people! So If you don't have bicarbonate of soda here is the recipe. If you do, then go ahead and use a different recipe! I don't see what difference it'll make.

Ingredients

3/4 "well done" bananas mashed (amount depending on how bananary you like it)
200g plain flour
130g caster sugar
115g butter (I used salted but unsalted will make the bread sweeter) room temperature
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
25g (leftover) raisins (they were lemon flavoured but if you can't find that just put in a tiny squeeze of lemon.)

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees C/gas mark 4



2. Prepare a loaf tin (I made one from a container lid and 4 sheets of tin foil) by greasing with butter.



3. Mix the butter and sugar until it forms a paste like texture.



4. Add the flour, make a well and add the egg and vanilla extract. Embrace the messy hands on approach to mixing the dough. This is the best method for all types of bread as more air gets into the mixture. Mix until doughy.



5. Add the raisins and mashed bananas and mix well.



6. Put the mixture into the loaf tin and shut it in the oven for 1 hour/until it looks done.

Some variations...

• Use chocolate chips, almonds, or half a diced apple instead of raisins.



• Chop half a banana into slices and lay it on top of the loaf for the last 10/15 minutes of cooking time.

Hope you enjoy it. Add what you like and call it your own.

Happy cooking!

Catey