Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • non-stick vegetable oil spray
  • 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone, plain whole milk or Greek yoghurt or sour cream
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 large, very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate (optional)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Method

  • Pre-heat oven to 350F/177C
  • Coat a 22x11cm loaf tin with non-stick spray and line with parchment paper with generous overhang on long sides.
  • Whisk flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.
  • Beat sugar, mascarpone and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes)
  • Add eggs one at a time while beating, scraping the sides.
  • Reduce speed and add flour mix – mix until just combined.
  • Add bananas and mix till just combined.
  • Fold in chocolate and/or walnuts (optional).
  • Scrape batter into tin, smooth top
  • Bake until test stick comes out clean – 60-65 minutes
  • Cool in tin on wire-rack for 1 hour
  • Turn out and cool completely.