Upgrading a Classic: Nutella Banana Bread

I created this recipe about five years ago now, and its served me faithfully since.

Nutella and Walnut Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 115g butter

• 3 medium bananas (strong sweet banana taste: use very ripe, less strong banana flavour: use medium ripe)

• 200g caster sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 60ml milk

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 240g self raising flour

• 1/2 tsp salt

• One small jar of Nutella (the smallest glass ones are enough for one pan of bread)

• A handful of chopped walnuts (optional but delicious)

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Grease an average side bread pan and line with grease proof paper, allow the paper to be slightly overhanging so you can lift the bread out after.

2. Melt the butter. Mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork, until smooth. Add the butter, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla, and stir.

3. Sieve in the flour and salt. Stir with a spatula until no dry spots remain and no flour seen. Be careful not to over-mix or beat.

4. Transfer half the batter into the bread pan. Spoon in 5 tsp of Nutella. Using a bread knife slightly mix it through so the batter has Nutella evenly throughout it.

5. Add the remaining batter in and repeat with the Nutella.

6. Bake for 55 minutes, and check it. It may need more time depending on your oven up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. When a skewer comes out clean with a few moist crumbs it is ready.