Go bananas for Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread

What better way to give dad a treat than to make a homemade cake or pudding for Father’s Day. Dads usually say they like anything homemade and go bananas for coffee cake, and nuts for chocolate cake. In fact one of @GrandmaAbson followers, Keith said 'If most fathers are like me, a cake should be a bit nutty!' So here's a recipe for Banana Nut Bread which should suit him perfectly.

Banana Nut Bread

8 oz/225g self raising flour

Pinch of salt

2 oz/50g margarine or butter

2 oz/50g caster sugar

2 oz/50g chopped walnuts

1 egg (beaten)

3 oz/75g golden syrup (warmed)

2 bananas (mashed)

Sift the flour and salt. Rub in the margarine/butter. Add the sugar and walnuts. Blend the egg with the warmed golden syrup and stir in the mashed bananas. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well. Turn into a greased loaf tin. Bake for 1 hour. (350F, Mark 4, 180C)

Meryl says : You could even omit the sugar as the bananas and syrup give it sweetness. It can be made with gluten free flour if you add a bit more liquid (2-3 tablespoons of water or milk) to the final mixture. Don't beat or mash the bananas too much otherwise the cake texture is too heavy.

This recipe is from Nellie Abson, Grandma’s daughter-in-law from Stoke on Trent. She shared a number of recipes with Grandma in the 1950s and 60s. When bananas were available again after the end of rationing, this recipe became very popular. The bananas keep it moist, so you can make it a day or so in advance. 

Have a cake treat with Grandma’s baking for Happy Father’s Day! Let me know which is Dad’s favourite cake.