Banana and Walnut Loaf

Try this healthy fruit and nut loaf, its packed full of goodness, for a healthy tea-time treat.  

What you need

  • 4 medium sized bananas
  • 160g (6oz) walnut pieces
  • 110g (1oz) plain flour
  • 110g (4oz) wholemeal plain flour
  • 110g (4oz) sunflower or olive oil based spread
  • 140g (5oz) soft dark brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Zest of one orange and one lemon

How to make it 

  1. Pre heat oven to Gas mark 4 /180 C /350 F.
  2. Toast walnuts on baking sheet in the oven for 7-9 minutes.  Cool and roughly chop.
  3. Peel and mash bananas to a puree in a blender or by hand.  Add baking powder, cinnamon and both flours.
  4. Add remaining ingredients except nuts and beat until well mixed.
  5. Fold in walnut pieces.  Add a little skimmed milk to achieve a consistency that drops off a spoon.
  6. Put mixture in a 1 kg (2lb) loaf tin which has been lined with greaseproof paper.
  7. Bake in the centre of the oven for 1¼ - 1½ hours or until loaf feels springy in the centre.  Leave to cool in the tin before removing.