Jane’s Banana Loaf Cake with Dates & Walnuts
Jane’s Banana loaf Cake with Dates and Walnuts, good fuel for Marathon training apparently.
Delicious, moist and reasonably healthy and perfect for using up those bananas ‘on the turn’ in the fruit bowl
However even if there is no sign of marathon training (ha ha) it can also be immensely enjoyable with your feet up, a good book and a cuppa 🙂
(I wasn’t built to run, walk yes, run noooooo!) but I still eat this Banana Date and Walnut Loaf!
Date & Walnut Loaf – Traditionally
Date and walnut loaf (without the Bananas) is a traditional bread eaten in Britain and is made using dates and walnuts.
It is quite often made with treacle or tea to give it a dark brown colour.
Apparently traditionally from Scotland, date and walnut loaf is still enjoyed in many tea rooms around the country.
So my recipe – Is it a Banana Date and walnut cake? Well maybe I guess it’s that too.
But when I think of a ‘cake’ I always expect it to come with icing and I guess I think it’ll be round?
But I love a loaf cake
Banana Loaf with Dates and Walnuts
This lovely recipe doesn’t need icing at all and it has added bananas!
It’s perfect just the way it is
Banana Loaf with Dates and Walnuts
This loaf cake recipe is perfect for using up those brown over ripened fruit bowl bananas! You know the ones I mean, those that lurk brownish in the bowl and are avoided by all!
I also found out something really interesting!
Did you know that bananas are the UK’s no 1 fruit?
Well they are and they have lots of health benefits! The BBC website has a great article maybe give it a read?!
The kids and the adults seem to love this Banana Date and Walnut Cake too, now that’s a result.
So why not make a loaf and stick it in the cake tin, wonderful!
So thanks Jane – what a super cake! You can leave the walnuts out if you prefer?
Oh and maybe whack a half banana on the top before you bake and be all fancy? It does look super cute too
I’m thinking of sharing a banana bread recipe too. I guess this is more banana cake – but it’s oh so very good!
Also super super easy and I’d say fail-safe
Loaf Liners for your Banana Loaf Cakes?
Also before I forget, have you discovered loaf liners yet?
Oh they are fantastic, you can say ‘bye’ to trying to line a loaf tin!
I love them, so easy and you can find them in most supermarkets and they are not expensive either, amazing!
Kitchen Kit
You lovely peeps have started to ask me about kitchen kit.
Well you need to know I use the KitchenAid stand mixer!
It’s quite an investment HOWEVER I love it and I know I will have it for life. I see it as my essential piece of kit.
I also have lots of the attachments which I can talk about soon in another post Especially the pasta attachment!
Personally I believe this is the best stand mixer on the planet – but that’s just my view!
Anyway please have a go at Jane’s Banana, Date and Walnut Loaf and let me know how you get on, please leave me a comment below, I love your comments
Other tasty morsels
If you like this recipe I think you might like these Blueberry and Lemon Muffins too – Just saying! 🙂 See how good they look!
Another Loaf Cake
or how about this lovely Easy Ginger Loaf, with an amazingly zingy lemon icing
Many Thanks Clare
(NOT Sponsored) however This content does use a referral link. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Banana Loaf Cake with Dates & Walnuts
Ingredients
- 225 g self raising flour
- 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 75 g butter
- 1 egg
- 150 g caster sugar
- 2 ripe bananas about 350g
- 50 g walnut halves or pieces
- 50 g of pitted dates
Instructions
- Heat oven to 190C / Gas5
- Grease and line a loaf tin (1 lb about 9 inch x 5inch ). Use a loaf liner EPLS
- Sieve flour, bicarbonate and salt into large bowl
- Rub in the butter then stir in sugar and egg, It will be a bit dry and look like a crumble mix
- Mash bananas. Beat into cake mix and add nuts and dates Spoon into prepared tin
- Bake for 20 mins at 190C /Gas5 then turn down oven to 180C/Gas4 and bake for another 20 mins or until a skewer stuck into the middle comes out clean
- Removed from the oven and leave to cool in tin for at least 20 minutes
- If you want to decorate it just melt a spoon of apricot conserve, jam or glaze in the microwave.
- Brush on and decorate with banana chips or walnuts
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
Oh wow this looks and sounds so good! I could do with a slice right now! x #RecipeoftheWeek
Clare x
Thanks Kirsty – let me know if you give it a whirl 🙂 #Recipe of the week Cx
Jane
Note to self and all AGA owners it’s perfect for 30mins on grid shelf on floor then 20mins with cold shelf above
Marta @ petiteraisin.ca
Ohhh dates and walnuts! I’m sold!
#recipeoftheweek
Alison
This look lovely, perfect with a cup of tea I am sure
Honest Mum
This looks so succulent and juicy! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Helen at Casa Costello
This looks so wonderful – healthy but without the feeling of missing out on a treat. We have featured your recipe in this week’s BritMums foodie roundup to be published tomorrow. Hope that is ok x
Clare x
That’s great thanks Cx
Ilka
I looove Banana Bread when I’m in Marathon training, you are so right! :):) This banana bread recipe with walnuts and dates looks outrageously yummy! Pinning and stumbling for later!
Alison
This looks and sounds lovely. I love dates and adding them is inspired
Bill
This cake looked so good i had a go at making it. Loved the result so much that that i switched it up a wee bit by adding seedless raisins soaked in hot fresh orange juice then drained when fat and juicy, replaced the caster sugar with Demerara sugar, added a teaspoon of ground ginger along with a teaspoon of cinnamon and topped of the wet mix with 35ml of Buillet bourbon. The cake takes a wee bit longer to cook as the ingredients are a bit wetter than the original. The cake however delivers the ultimate foodgasm when you top a cold slice with real butter and home made blackcurrant jam !
Clare x
Sounds amazing – thanks for the comments Cx
Fatcow79
This is the yummiest banana loaf I’ve eaten in a while 🙂
I tweeted it a tad & used half brown & half castor sugar , & added a tsp of brandy essence to the mix.
And yes always good with a slathering of butter…straight out of the oven…the best.
Thanks for such a great recipe. I’ll be using this again & again for sure ??
Maggie Smith
This recipe was very easy to follow ,I used date nectar instead of sugar and added ginger as another flavour .Moist consistency and tasted surprisingly good .
David
Saw your recipe and as we love anything with date and walnuts, I decided to try it. Great result
first time, and that was using Bertolli instead of butter and reducing castor sugar slightly. May add
a little nutmeg or cinnamon next time.
Clare x
Sounds great David – thanks for your comment Cx
Helen Struminskyj
Hi loved this cake, very easy to do, and I am not a baker. First cake in years. Just had lots of left over bananas dates and walnuts from Christmas. Only comment I would make would be to reduce the sugar a bit as its very sweet.
Sheila Swaine
Fabulous cake,I am making it now for about the 10th time.a great way to use up ripe bananas that no one want to eat
Clare x
Oh so great to hear! Thanks for your message x
Anonymous
Delicious, even my fussy daughter loved it – it smelled so good in the oven she couldn’t resist trying a slice. I added a maple glaze
Anonymous
Delicious, even my fussy daughter loved it – it smelled so good in the oven she couldn’t resist trying a slice. I added a maple glaze instead of the suggested topping and it worked really well.
Clare x
Super to hear – Thanks for your comment Cx
Sandy
I haven’t got any dates. Could I use figs instead or just leave out altogether? Thanks
Clare x
Either Sandy – let’s me know how you get on 🙂 Cx
Charlotte
Love this recipe, I’ve made it loads of times now with the leftover bananas we get delivered to work each week
Charlotte
Love love love this recipe. Made it loads of times now coz everyone raves about it. Thank you❤️❤️❤️
Charlotte
I’m better at baking than reviewing ?
rosey
lovely recipes
Andrea
So easy to make. I also added cinnamon & ginger & a wee bit less sugar. Tastes amazing thank you x
Clare x
Thanks Andrea – glad you love it Cx
Phil
Made this with my 7 year old daughter, super easy recipe and a great cake.
Clare x
Oh perfect Phil – so lovely to hear x
Sally
I speeded up this recipe by creaming together the margarine and sugar and then the eggs one at a time and then mixed in the rest of the ingredients. My family loved it.
Clare x
Really goo to hear Sally! Thanks Cx
Tyler
Absolutely beautiful! I needed to put it back in the oven for another 20 minutes as it wasn’t quite ready but stunning. Moist, light and delicious. Added mixed nuts as well as the walnuts and put sliced banana and some honey on top so it caramelised. Going to be making this regularly! Xx
Julie
Very nice. Light. Would make a nice cake with coffee buttercream in.
Clare x
Oh yes Julie! x yum
Trish
Delicious !
Did I use less sugar ?
Yes I did 😁
If the bananas are ripe they provide enough sweetness x
Cynschoice
Made this yesterday, easy and scrumpy certainly going to make another one.
Anonymous
Absolutely fab 👌
Paul Hutchin
Lovely cake tweaked it with whole meal flour and medjool dates and Dark Demerara sugar.. winner baked 2 this morning ✌🏼❤️👍🏼
Vivienne
This is a fantastic cake/loaf! I have made lots of banana date and walnut cakes before but this one has had the best comments from the eaters! And so easy to make and so
Delicious! I added 50g of dried apricots to the original recipe! Makes it uber yummy!
Clare x
Oh sounds so lovely Vivienne X thanks so much for your comment
Moira
Is this the temp for a fan oven?
Clare x
Fan oven Moira – sorry Cx
Moira
Thank you 😊
Valerie
Have now made 2 of these and this is a very easy recipe with fabulous results. I am not known for my baking so it’s great to have such a great recipe. Thank you very much. Yummy, delicious comments from all the family.
Baking my way through social distancing
OK silly question. 450g of banana? Is that weighed skins on?cos otherwise that’s ALOT of banana 😂🍌
Clare x
Hi!! It’s about 2 ripe bananas x
Rebecca
Love this bread really yummy and easy to make.
I’ve kept it covered on a plate, how long will it last and be good to eat please?
Clare x
Oh a few days for sure hunny x
Dawn Bray
Just made this it was delicious and easy to make. Thank you
Dawn Bray
Just made this it was delicious and easy to make. Thank you
Valerie
So yummy and great to use up the over ripe bananas. All the family love it and great with a cuppa. Thank you for a wonderful foolproof recipe. 😊
Clare x
Fab to hear xx
Pat Walker
Just going to give this cake a whirl!
Helen
Looks scrummy !
Anne
Perfect bake . Lovely on its own or with a spread of butter ( yummy yum)
Monica Mukhi Nair
Hi just saw this recipie and planning to bake it as it sounds yum. I read lots of comments where Sugar was reduced and cinnamon added. For those who commented can you please let me know how much sugar you reduced it to and how much cinnamon powder was added as I also feel this will give it a nice touch. thanks
Jane Mc
This came out amazing with vegan substitutes (dairy free butter and egg replacer). Fluffy and delicious <3
Carole Perry
Brilliant, tasty banana loaf cake!
Julie davis
Can you double everything and make a 2lb loaf cake
Clare x
Yes xx
Anonymous
Sounds yummy