My Mammy's Tried and Tested Perfect Banana Bread

Banana bread is a recipe that everyone has and in the same way everyone seems convinced that theirs is the best. Having tried some of these recipes I keep returning to the banana bread I enjoyed as a child and while it may not be the 'best' it's certainly mine and my whole family's favourite. It has more banana that the typical recipe which means that the banana flavour is much more intense and the loaf is super moist and rich. Also in this recipe you will find the addition of orange and lemon zest which gives a certain freshness to it. 

Also, in what appear to e a break with the norm there are no spices in this banana bread. Having messed around with different spices I found that they detract from the taste and I don't otehr with them anymore, banana bread should be simple and this one definitely is

Banana Bread

Makes 1 loaf

75g soft butter

110g caster sugar

1 large egg beaten

225g plain flour

2 tsps baking powder level

4 medium bananas peeled

Grated rind 1 orange

Grated rind 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 180.

Butter, sugar and egg in large mixing bowl

Sift in flour and baking powder

In another bowl slice and mash bananas with fork

Whish sugar, butter and flour until thoroughly combined

Add orange and lemon rind

Add mashed bananas

Mix thoroughly

Put in tin and level off top

Centre shelf 50-55 mins until loaf is golden, well risen and springs back

Mum's Pavlova

We've moved into our new house and we finally have internet which means I can finally post up my pavlova recipe :) It was one of my housemates birthdays last week and his favourite dessert is Pavlova with cream and strawberries so that is what I set about making. 


I used my Mum's pavlova recipe which is the best Pavlova I've ever eaten. It's chewy and pillowy at the same time and tastes absolutely amazing! Slightly abnormally there's custard powder and white vinegar in the recipe which helps give it this consistency. The recipe has no measurements whatsoever so I'm gonna do my best to approximate.


Mum's Pavlova
(Serves 12-16)

• 6 egg whites
• 2 mugs of caster sugar
• 2 heaped tbsp custard powder
• 2 tsps white vinegar

Preheat the oven to 160 C

Beat egg whites and 1 and 3/4 of the sugar with an electric whisk until they form the stiffest peaks you've ever seen

Fold in the rest of the sugar, custard powder and white vinegar

Pour out onto a rectangular baking tray lined with greaseproof paper

Bake for 35-45 mins, until slightly golden at the edges

Enjoy :) x