Banana and Walnut Loaf

This recipe was sent to me by one of our lovely Irish guests (thanks Anne) And is delicious with a cup of tea, in picnics or served as a pudding -warm, drenched with sweet liquer topped with ice cream.

Makes 1 loaf

4 oz (115 g) butter
4 oz (115 g) sugar
2 eggs
4 oz (115g) plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 oz  (55 g) wholewheat flour
3 large ripe bananas
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 oz (55g) chopped walnuts

Pre heat the oven to 180C/350F/gas 4
Line a loaf tin with greaseproof paper and grease the paper

Cream the butter and sugar together until light, add the eggs one at a time and beat well.

Sift the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt and cinnamon over the butter mixture and stir to blend all together. Stir in the wholewheat flour.

Mash the bananas to a puree and add to the mixture. Stir in the vanilla essence and nuts

Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and spread until even. Bake for 50-60 mins until a  skewer comes out clean. Leave for 10 mins then transfer to a cooling rack. (Actually, I let mine cool in the tin completely, keeps it moist)