A slice of well-made banana loaf cake is like gold dust.
It strikes the balance between being (kinda) healthy, while promising a belly-full of warm gooey sweet satisfaction. But if it ain't homemade, we won't even go there.


Louise Vargas from Bristol-based 280 Bakes has shared the secret of her speciality Fairtrade banana loaf cake, and we were lucky enough to devour a batch in the office:


'This is our low-fat banana loaf recipe, using Fairtrade bananas. The apple sauce keeps it moist, and it’s a delicious breakfast snack:
Fairtrade Banana Loaf
1 ½ cups plain flour
¾ cup caster sugar
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2 egg whites
2 bananas (over ripe are easier to use)
¼ cup apple sauce
Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees/gas 4. Grease and line a loaf tin.
Stir together the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients. The mixture will be relatively stiff - only ever make one cake in one bowl as it gets very difficult to stir!
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 50-55 mins until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Leave on a cooling rack until cool.'