Banana & Chocolate Loaf Cake

Now let me start by saying that this wasn't my most successful of cakes based on looks. It didn't rise like a loaf cake should and was a bit flat but oh my word, taste wise? I think it WAS my most successful cake. Mr M gave it a 10 out of 10 (normally only reserved for a Victoria sponge) and my 7 year old daughter liked it so much she asked for the recipe for when she is older. I think on that basis we can say it was a hit.

I've never really been a fan of banana loaf but when some sad-looking bananas peered out of the fruit bowl that morning I knew I needed to help them fulfil their destiny. The recipe is a pretty basic loaf recipe and on a whim I threw in some chocolate buttons leftover from Christmas selection boxes - that was a great idea as I think the hint of chocolate really made this!

No doubt I'll be begged to make this again soon and it will become a family favourite. Just need to work on that rise!

Banana & Chocolate Loaf Cake

Ingredients

125g butter

150g caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg, beaten

2 very ripe bananas, mashed

190g self raising flour

60ml milk

Chocolate buttons/chocolate chips (I used about 65g as that's what I had, but add more or less to suit)

Method

Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin. (I use liners from Lakeland). 

Melt the butter, sugar and vanilla extract in a saucepan over a medium heat.  Remove from the heat and add the mashed bananas to the pan. Mix well.

Add the egg and mix well before stirring in the flour, the milk and the chocolate buttons/chips.

Pour into the lined tin and sprinkle some demerara sugar if you like a bit of a crunchy topping.

Bake in the oven at 170c/gas mark 3 for around 35-40 minutes, until an inserted skewer comes out clean.

Any tips on how to get this to rise better, greatly appreciated!