Chocolate Date Banana Bread

Looking for a banana bread recipe that's a little bit more indulgent? Look no further.

This recipe has all the things you want in a banana bread recipe - moist, sweet and nutty, plus a couple of extras. The dates add a beautiful richness and almost honey sweetness and the cocoa makes it a bit more indulgent. Maybe not the best thing for breakfast, but perfect for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up!

Try it straight out of the oven with a spread of butter, toast it under the grill and serve with ricotta and a few banana slices or just enjoy a piece on it's own with a cup of tea or coffee. Sometimes the simple things are the best!

Chocolate Date Banana Bread

75g dates, chopped

50g butter

2 ripe bananas, mashed

A squeeze of lemon juice

1/2 cup milk

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 3/4 cup SR flour

1/4 cup cocoa

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.

Grease and line a loaf tin.

In a small saucepan, bring 100ml water and dates to the boil. Simmer until soft, then remove from the heat and mash the dates.

Add butter to the hot date mixture and stir until melted.

In a large bowl, combine date mixture, banana, lemon juice, milk, walnuts, sugar and egg and mix until well combined.

Sift over the flour and cocoa and stir until just combined.

Spoon into the prepared tin and smooth the surface.

Bake for about 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Remove from the oven and rest in the tin for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack to cool.

Serve while still warm or allow to cool and slice for lunch boxes.

Enjoy!