I always buy too many bananas with the intention of being healthy and eating them all, the good intention lasts about 36 hours and then I can’t be bothered with them. So what do you do when you have old bananas in your fruit bowl? Bake a Banana Loaf of course!
In times of baking need there is only one person to turn to for a recipe… that’s right Mary Berry and her baking bible, or ‘Mury Bury’ as she sounds in my Northern Irish accent! I have used several different recipes before, but most call for 3 bananas and I only have 2… but no fear – Mary comes up trumps!
Mary Berry’s Banana Loaf (Taken from Mary Berry’s Baking Bible)
Ingredients
100g Softened Butter
175g Caster Sugar
2 Large Eggs
2 Ripe Bananas (mashed)
225g Self Raising Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
2 tbsp. Milk
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas 4.
2. Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin, then line the base and sides with baking parchment
3. Measure all ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat for about 2 minutes, until well blended
4. Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface
5. Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 1 hour, until well risen and golden brown. A fine skewer inserted in the centre should come out clean if the loaf is ready.
6. Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out, peel of the parchment and finish cooling on a wire rack.
This was so easy to make and delicious, and there wasn’t much left of it by the time it was cooled on the rack!
Queen of Everything 
Just started baking at my late years!!!! Middle aged!!! Soooo easy everybody loved this loaf when I took it into work , was scoffed in minutes !!!!
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I loved this loaf and when I brought it to share at home as I work for baking company everyone liked it so much!
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I love cooking for family and friends but after watching Great British Bake Off it gave the courage to bake and I love it and this Banana Loaf was a real treat for my family as soon I bake anything it is gone literally in minutes so thank you 🙂
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The great britiah bake off also inspired me to bake, pauls piercing eyes were the main motivaton hehe
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Have tried several banana bread recipes but this one has been the most popular with my family.
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Made this banana loaf last night it is wonderful and so easy to make
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A fantastic recipe! Super easy to make and if I do say so myself, my loaf has turned out beautifully!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Banana loaf is just a healthy,low calorie dessert…..
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It is true! – its pretty much a health food 🙂
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Hi
Looks a great recipe… any suggestions for a special topping. Suitable to take to a wedding to add to the cake table .
Thanks
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Use the banana bread to make french toast, with sliced bananas, toffee sauce and vanilla ice cream
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Oh wow that sounds tasty! I love french toast and this sounds divine! Will definitely try this!
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That sounds so nice ! I’m going to try it thanks
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Really good recipe, I add a bit of cinnamon or mixed spice and also drizzle a little honey over the top of it. Is nice and moist too.
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I do like a bit of cinnamon or nutmeg at times or even chocolate chips! Never tried it with honey, might give that a try next time – sounds good!
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I’ve made this loaf 5 or 6 times now and every time its turned out fantastic!! Great recipe!!
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It is good isn’t it and so easy to make!
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The easiest recipe ever! Most of the cake was eaten by my two sons before it was cool. Next time I’ll have to make 2!
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It is so quick and easy! I can imagine how fast it disappeared with two hungry boys around!
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I have made 2 today!!!!!! Glad I did as my sons and hubby demolished one between them after school/work!!!! Brilliant recipe, so simple 🙂
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We have a coffee shop and I sell on average 3-4 banana loaves per week! Very yummy.
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Wow! Banana Cake seems to be a favourite with everyone! Its so tasty though!
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Fab recipe. Tastes wonderful everytime. I have a friend whose gluten intolerant. Was wondering if anyone had tried it with gluten free flour? X
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Hi, I haven’t tried making this with gluten free flour (yet!) but a few people have commented a while ago about making it with gluten free flour and all seem to have had success! Glad you enjoyed it, it’s so easy to make!
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I have, the trick with GF flour is to add a bit more liquid. In this recipe I put 4tbsp of milk in and also make sure you are using GF baking powder or sub with xathan(sp?) gum
My Gluten eating friends have no idea it’s gluten free until I tell them 🙂
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Made this cake for the first time tonight and the house smells amazing. I am allergic to wheat and use Dove self raising flour or any wheat free self raising flour just use in the same way swapping like for like. I do this with all cake recipes and never have an issue. Cannot wait to try this banan cake after reading all the reviews thanks everyone
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Yes made this many times withy gluten free flour , you just need to add a teaspoon of xantham gum, and a little more milk, it’s delicious actually nobody realises it’s gf.
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Just made two, don’t think they’ll last long at the fire station tomorrow!
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They never last long in this house either! Devoured when its just fresh from the oven!
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This is the best banana cake I’ve ever made.
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Yes, its so tasty and easy to make as well!
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Comments have given me ideas on different parts of the cake topping ext.
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Made it this evening. Had to have a warm piece. Yummy ….. Gorgeous…. Tasty…. THE BEST…..
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yummmm…. warm and straight out of the oven is best!
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Fantastic! First time I ever made a banana loaf and it came out superb. My friends were all drooling over it haha
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It such an easy recipe and so tasty! Glad your friends enjoyed it!
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I made this today with my 4 year old and she licked out the bowl. We added hemp seeds, almonds, raisins and a bit of vanilla essence and it’s so moist. Going to have to make this again as half of it is gone already – only came out of the oven about 2 hours ago.
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I’ve never put seeds or nuts in it before, that sounds really tasty I might give it a go the next time!
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I have made it again but didn’t have any caster sugar so have substituted with about 100ml of agave nectar. And have added blueberries – as they were there. Thanks for the recipe in the first place – it really is moist. If I wanted to make a gluten free version for my friend’s daughter – would the gluten free self raising flour work just as well? Or should I use something else?
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I have made it with gluten free self-raising flour and it turned out perfect. I also put a few spoonfuls of Dutch cocoa powder in it.
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Make a cream cheese and lemon juice icing and stud with sweetened banana chips for a special treat
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Oh that sounds good too – always like to hear ways of making it a bit different! Thanks for sharing that!
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so so easy to make and the kids loved it.
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Glad you all liked it – so quick and easy!
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This recipe is fantastic, a delicious banana bread which goes nicely with a small helping of cream, absolutely divine! The best recipe I have found xx
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Glad you enjoyed!
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I like baking but never made banana loaf before, this is one of the easiest recipes I have ever tried and the cake is “delicious” according to my mum
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Love this recipe! I make it as a loaf for grown-ups or as cupcakes for the children. Goes down a treat with everyone and is great for packed lunches.
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So easy, so delicious, freezes very well. Never had a failure.
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Easy to follow folded in fresh strawberries at the end just delightful
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Chocolate Banana Loaf made! Cannot wait to taste! Replaced 3 heaped tablespoons of flour with Cocoa
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I like to put a handful of chopped walnuts in it too, or some dark chocolate chips. Delicious!
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ive made this several times, my family sit waiting for it to come out of the over. it never has time to cool right down as we like it still warm and buttered
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Has anyone ever frozen this banana bread? Did it work out ok – can you taste the difference?
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I haven’t tried freezing it yet – problem is its demolished so quickly after coming out of the oven, it doesn’t get the chance to get near the freezer! I think it should be OK to freeze though.
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Yes I’ve made 2 and frozen 1 in slices. It just as good!
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Does anyone know if this can be frozen?
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I’ve just checked out this recipe in Mary’s book and she says it freezes well.
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Thanks for checking that out! And good to know – though I cant see any of these lasting long enough to make the freezer in this house! 🙂
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My daughter introduced me to your banana cake while I was staying with her in Scotland, just arrived back to Wales and thought I would try it my-self.
Great result with very little effort. All gone within 30mins.
Thanks.
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Thank you for sharing this recipe 🙂 am about to have a go at it and was wondering if the butter should be unsalted or salted? Thanks!
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Hi, I always use unsalted butter, it stops any saltiness being overpowering! enjoy it!
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I’m new to baking..but I made my first lemon cake last week and it went down a storm… I wanted to bake this in the morning..can I use plain flour instead of self raising? I have baking powder..will that make it rise? All new to me!
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You can substitute it for another teaspoon of baking powder and it will rise enough.
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Made 2 today, lovely, had to steal eggs from neighbour with promise to send a few slices round. Neighbours are Indian family who not made it before. She so impressed wanted recipe immediately, so your link been posted on my facebook page also encouraging others to give it a go. I added vanilla essence, mixed spice and a little cinnamon. Really yummy. Thanks xxx
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Thanks for sharing this recipe, we made it for our blog (with extra banana and walnuts) and it was awesome!
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firm favourite in our house, so quick and easy to make, I put chopped walnuts in my last one and it was lovely.
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Love this recipe! So easy & it turned out perfectly
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Mine fell apart when cut. Anyone know why? Tasted great though.
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Can I use ‘Stork’ instead of butter?
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I did & it was lovely
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This banana loaf turned out perfect. It is lovely warm and the crunchiness of the crust is delicious!
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I followed the recipe a few days ago. What an easy and simple bake. So thought I would make a few adjustments! I put three tablespoons of peanut butter in my and a tsp of vanilla essence. It was a big hit even with my mum who doesn’t like Banana loaf as it’s to heavy!
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Thought I would try this recipe as I had a couple of over ripe bananas I needed to use up but was a bit worried because I’ve never made one before. But I needn’t have worried as it was so easy to make & turned out lovely. Will definitely be making it again!
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I left out 50 g of flour and replace with coco powder and added coc chips so yummy
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I bake with my 7yr old very Monday and it’s always fairy cakes so I was desperate to try something different. I halved the recipe (except baking powder) made the mixture runny with extra milk and poured into muffin cases. I reduced the cooking time to 20mins. Worked a treat.
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I made this with one large banana, forgot the second by accident. I put vanilla and cinamon in it too. Such a lovely texture. Thanks for sharing the recipe
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Just made my first banana loaf. Nobody told me it was going to be that awesome
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Wow this is a really good recipe. Like others, next time I will be making two! Thanks for sharing.
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This recipe is amazing, made it for halloween and made again today. what a cake, my family’s fav by far.
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