Banana and Walnut loaf

This is a super easy recipe and a favorite with my family and friends. It is easily adaptable and I often make different variations using different nuts or chocolate chips or plain with cream cheese icing.

Ingredients

1 cup flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

10 walnuts, shelled and chopped (1/2 cup)

1 ripe banana

2 tablespoons olive oil

In a mixing bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.  Add the brown sugar and mix well, ensuring there are no lumps in the sugar. Add the chopped walnuts.

In a separate mixing bowl beat an egg before adding the milk, oil and mashed banana.  Combine all the wet ingredients and then add them to the dry ingredients. Mix together, taking care not to overmix the mixture, and add the batter into a lined loaf tin.

Bake in a pre heated oven (170c fan forced) for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The baking time depends on the oven, in my previous oven it would take 55-60 minutes, whereas in my current oven it is done in 45 minutes.

Cool completely before slicing.You can also use a cream cheese frosting to ice the cake, but I prefer to eat it plain with a cup of tea or lightly toasted with some butter. Keeps well for a couple of days in an air tight container.