Banana Bread

3 large black bananas

75ml vegetable oil or sunflower oil, plus extra for the tin

100g brown sugar

225g plain flour (or use self-raising flour and reduce the baking

powder to 2 heaped tsp)

3 heaped tsp baking powder

3 tsp Cinnamon mixed spice

50g dried fruit or nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Mash bananas with a fork, then mix well with oil and 100g brown sugar. Add the plain flour, baking powder and cinnamon or

mixed spice, and combine well. Add dried fruit or nuts, if using.

Bake in an oiled, lined 2lb loaf tin for 20 minutes. Check and cover with foil if the cake is browning. Bake for another 20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

Allow to cool a little before slicing. It's delicious freshly baked, but develops a lovely gooey quality the day after.