As autumn settles in and the days grow shorter, there’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting treat to brighten up your afternoon. And who better to guide us through the baking process than the legendary Dame Mary Berry? In a recent recipe share, Mary has gifted us with her take on the classic chocolate chip banana bread, a recipe that’s as simple as it is delicious.
This recipe is more than just a tasty treat; it’s a perfect solution for using up those overripe bananas that might be lurking in your fruit bowl. Mary’s recipe is a straightforward affair, drawing on the classic loaf cake foundation but adding a touch of indulgence with the inclusion of dark chocolate chips. This adds a rich depth of flavor that complements the sweetness of the bananas perfectly.
For those seeking a bit more textural variety, Mary suggests adding 50g of chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter, creating a delightful contrast of soft and crunchy. But even without the added nuts, this banana bread is sure to impress with its fluffy crumb and irresistible aroma.
The recipe itself is wonderfully efficient. It takes less than 30 minutes to prepare and around 40 to 45 minutes to bake, making it an ideal midweek baking project. No need to spend hours in the kitchen – just a quick mix, a bit of patience, and you’ll be rewarded with a delicious loaf that’s sure to be devoured in no time.
Mary’s banana bread recipe has already garnered praise from home bakers, earning a near-perfect 4.5 out of five star rating on the BBC Food website. The recipe serves between six to eight people, depending on your slice size, and can easily be doubled if you have a surplus of bananas begging to be used.
Ready to try this delightful recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:
Mary Berry’s Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Ingredients:
* One ripe banana (peeled weight 100g/4oz)
* One tbsp milk
* 50g/2oz soft butter or baking spread
* 75g/3oz plain flour
* 75g/3oz caster sugar
* 1⁄2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
* 1⁄2 tsp baking powder
* One free-range egg
* 50g/2oz dark chocolate chips
Optional Decoration:
* 50g/2oz dark chocolate
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line a 450g loaf tin with baking paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the peeled banana. Add the remaining cake ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and beat with an electric hand whisk until the mixture is combined and smooth.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips and spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin. Level the top.
4. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the loaf is well risen, shrinking away from the sides of the tin and golden-brown.
5. Let the bread cool for ten minutes in the tin before removing it and placing it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Decoration:
1. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place them in a heatproof bowl.
2. Melt the chocolate over a pan of simmering water, ensuring that the bowl doesn’t touch the water. Stir regularly until almost completely melted, then remove from the heat. The residual heat in the bowl will melt any remaining lumps.
3. Spoon the melted chocolate into a piping bag and pipe zig-zags across the top of the loaf. Let the chocolate set before slicing and serving.
Now you have everything you need to bake this irresistible chocolate chip banana bread. Get ready to enjoy a warm, comforting treat that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and impress your friends and family. Happy baking!