Description
Jamie Oliver’s banana bread celebrates overripe bananas with a moist, rich texture that elevates simple ingredients. Home bakers can easily create this comforting classic you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ripe bananas
- 250 g (8.8 oz) self-raising flour
- 2 large eggs
- 125 g (4.4 oz) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps runny honey
- 2 tbsps unsweetened apple juice
- 1 big pinch ground cinnamon
- 50 g (1.8 oz) pecans (optional)
- Unsalted butter (extra, for greasing)
- Self-raising flour (extra, for dusting)
Instructions
- Preparation: Warm the oven to 180°C (350°F) and generously coat a loaf pan with softened butter to prevent sticking.
- Mixing Base: Cream butter until smooth, then whisk eggs into the mixture until fully incorporated, creating a uniform consistency.
- Banana Integration: Mash ripe bananas into a textured puree, blending with apple juice and honey to create a rich, fragrant liquid base.
- Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold cinnamon and flour into the wet ingredients, using a light touch to maintain a delicate batter structure.
- Pecan Enhancement: Finely chop pecans using a cross-chop technique, then fold them evenly throughout the mixture for added crunch and flavor.
- Baking Preparation: Pour batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface and artfully arranging thin banana slices on top for visual appeal and extra banana essence.
- Oven Baking: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 45-55 minutes, watching carefully to achieve perfect golden-brown coloration.
- Doneness Check: Verify bread’s readiness by inserting a cocktail stick into the center – it should emerge clean or with minimal moist crumbs.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve with preferred spreads like honey, jam, butter, or chocolate spread.
Notes
- Select Super-Ripe Bananas: Choose bananas with deep brown or black speckled peels for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor.
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to maintain a light, tender crumb and avoid developing tough gluten networks.
- Check Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate heat, preventing uneven baking or burnt edges.
- Store Smartly: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg