Banana Loaf

Old favourite, great for using up over-ripe ‘nanas. You will need a loaf tin.

300g plain flour

1tsp bicarbonate of soda

½ tsp of salt

110g butter

200g caster sugar

2 eggs

85 ml buttermilk (or mix normal milk with 1.5tsp of vinegar or lemon juice)

1tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 180*C/350*F/Gas mark 4. Grease a loaf tin. Sift together the flour, bicarb and salt. Cream the butter and sugar til pale and fluffy. Add eggs, milk and vanilla, and mix well. Fold in the flour and the banana, a bit at a time, alternating. Pour into loaf tin. Bake for about 1 hr til brown. Cool in tin for a few minutes before removing.

Delicious sliced with butter or can be iced (cream cheese frosting works well).