banana & date bread
We've had to do a lot of testing, and then obviously eating, to get this banana bread right. We were determined to make a banana bread with zero refined sugar – not even maple syrup or honey. We used only naturally sweet bananas and dates to sweeten. All five THB children declared it a winner, which we can tell you is a hard task indeed!
Ingredients
10 large dates, pitted
2 free-range eggs
2 ripe bananas
2 tablespoons desiccated coconut
100g ground almonds
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Method
Preheat oven to medium, about 160°c
In a food processor blitz the dates
Remove the dates to a small bowl
In the food processor add the ripe bananas and eggs and blend until smooth
Add the desiccated coconut, ground almonds, baking powder and cinnamon
Blend again until smooth
Add the dates to the food processor and give another quick blitz
Add the mixture to a pre-lined loaf tin
Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden
Cool on a wire rack and serve with a cup of tea
The Health Boost Tip
This recipe is totally refined sugar free so perfect to enjoy at any time. It is a great way to use up any ripe bananas. Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6 and potassium.
A study in 2012 found bananas to be as effective as the equivalent amount of carbohydrates and minerals in a processed sports drink - surely a good reason to use this banana loaf pre-workout or at half-time in a match!
