Banana and Date Loaf

I had a few over ripe bananas to use up ( I won't eat them when they get to this stage.. too soft... yuk! )

So got out a very old recipe of mine which I've adapted from an even older
recipe from Delia's Complete Cookery Course..... Banana and Date Loaf !!
It's a really easy, all in one method which is great for using up old bananas ... I sometimes make it and freeze half so I always have a bit of cake to get out of the freezer if friends are coming round. It's really moist and tasty and I decided to put a layer of caramel in this one, although it's just as good without.

Banana and Date Loaf

75g Soft Butter
110g Caster Sugar
1 large egg
225g Plain Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 medium bananas ( peeled)
grated rind of 1 lemon
75g Dates, roughly chopped
I/2 jar dulce de leche ( optional)

Preheat oven to 180 o c / 170 o c fan
Grease and line a loaf tin, base measuring 9 x 19 cm.
Place the butter, sugar, egg, sifted flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl or electric mixer.
Mix together until fully combined .. don't worry if it looks a bit dry at this stage.
Place bananas in a large bowl, chop and mash.

Add the lemon rind and mashed banana to the cake mix and beat thoroughly.. then mix in the chopped dates

Place half the mixture in the prepared tin and spread, carefully, the layer of caramel on top, if you wish...

Then place the remaining mix on top and level off ..

Bake in the centre of the oven for 50 to 55 minutes until the loaf is golden, well risen and springs back when pressed

Leave to cool in tin and turn out ... then slice ..

If you want you can freeze half ... if it lasts that long !! enjoy xx