Banana Walnut Loaf Cake

This banana loaf is everything you want in a homemade bake — soft, moist, fragrant, and full of comforting flavor. The ripe bananas make it naturally sweet and tender, while the walnuts add the perfect little crunch in every slice. It’s the kind of cake that fills your kitchen with the most wonderful aroma and tastes even better the next day with coffee or tea 

Ingredients (for a 10 × 25 cm (4 × 10 in) loaf pan)

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature (113 g)

• 3/4 cup sugar (190 g)

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup kefir/greek yogurt (120 ml)

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 2 cups flour (250 g)

• 1/2 tsp baking soda 

• 3 medium ripe bananas

• A handful of chopped walnuts

Steps

1. Using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy

2. Continue mixing and add the eggs, then the kefir/greek yogurt and vanilla

3. Add the flour and baking soda, mixing until just combined

4. Mash the bananas with a fork and fold them into the batter

5. Add the chopped walnuts and gently mix

6. Pour the batter into a loaf pan. If desired, place banana slices on top for a beautiful finish

7. Bake in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for 45–50 minutes

Remove from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let the loaf cool

***Chef Janette Tip 

You can also use frozen bananas (just thaw them first and drain excess liquid), which actually makes the loaf even more moist and sweet. For an extra treat, feel free to add a handful of chocolate chips to the batter for a rich banana-chocolate version.