Banana Raisin Bread

I’ve stated before I don’t really like bananas. But I buy them every single week. Why? I don’t have a clue! Well I do know, sometimes when they’re good, they’re REALLY good. So I get them and my husband has his pick over the fruit and usually takes my unwanted bananas. This week I’ve found myself with a lot of extras, so as I’ve stated before in my banana using recipes, I need to use them up fast. What better way than banana bread. I really love banana bread and have blogged several recipes. This one I took no inspiration from any other recipes and used up what was in my cupboard. I had some mixed dried fruit leftover from the hols and I decided to dump that in, and it turned into a really yummy bread! Perfect for a cup of tea, this is my kind of sweet. I labelled it ‘banana raisin bread’ because the dried fruit mix I used has raisins in it but in addition it also has dried dates, currants, and mixed dried citrus peel. I suspect this recipe would be a great base for any additional dried fruits like cranberries or blueberries. Have a go! This makes about 12-18 slices, depending on how you like your bread!

Ingredients:
2 c. plain flour
1 ½ c. granulated sugar
4 very ripe bananas mashed (about 1 ½ c.)
3 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ c. dried fruit with mixed peel
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tbsp. orange zest (or very finely chopped orange rind)

For the Bread:
Heat oven to 185C.
In a large bowl, mash all the banana, and then mix with the sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt.
Next sift in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
Mix thoroughly.
Next fold in your dried fruit and orange zest (if you’re using it).
Grease a loaf tin and bake for 30m-1hr. Depending on your oven check it every 15 minutes after the first half hour.
Enjoy!