An overripe banana is a rarity in this house, so if the occasion occurs I almost always make a banana cake or a variation of it, depending what I have on hand. Yesterday I had only one banana so I made a pear and banana cake. It’s simple and as far as cakes are concerned, uses not too much butter and sugar.
While I lived in France, I was a cook for an Irish pub believe it or not and banana cake or bread was one of “les gateaux” on offering. This is the recipe that I’ve made a few adjustments to over the years.
Banana & Pear Cake
60g soft butter
120g caster sugar (I’ve even used brown sugar before which tastes great)
1-2 well ripened bananas
1 ripe pear, peeled, cored and diced
2 eggs, whisked
220g self raising flour
1-teaspoon vanilla essence
Cream sugar and butter; add eggs, vanilla essence, flour and mx to a batter and then fold in pear.
Pour into a greased bread tin and bake for 45 mins at 180°C
NB: You can do many variations of this recipe, omit the pear for banana cake, replace the pear with frozen or fresh berries, I’ve even thrown in chocolate chips before.
Have a lovely weekend everyone; wish us luck with the house hunting!
Mel x
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Hi Mel, came across your recipe and am relieved to have found such a simple, not too sugary cake! I only have a round cake tin on hand, how would you suggest adjusting cooking time for that?
Thanks! Lily x
I have been using this recipe for my family for the past 7 years. It is a staple in my home, and my two children (aged 7 & 5) have grown up loving it. Thank you for sharing it with us, from your fans in Australia oxo
Thank you Peggy! That is so lovely to read:) It is a regular in our family still also. So quick and easy! Best wishes, Mel x
Just made this for my leaving do at work
Delicious xx
I’m so glad! This is my go-to recipe to this day:) I use coconut sugar quite often also. It gives a delicious, almost caramel taste to it.
Thankyou for this lovely recipe a lovely way to use up my uneaten fruit
I’m so glad she enjoyed it!
very simple and yummy cake. thanks for the recipe :-)
Thanks Yasmin, I’m glad you like it as much as me – it’s my “go to cake”. Mel:)
I tried this for the first time while visiting my sister in the uk recently. She had one overripe banana and one pear so it was perfect and, aside from having to guess at which point to add the mushed banana (I decided it probably didn’t really matter) it made an amazing cake!
Just made it again at home with 2 smaller overripe bananas and an apple – equally delicious!
Thanks for sharing :-)
Hi Tracy! So glad you like it, it’s an old faithful. Thanks for pointing out that it’s not clear when to put the mashed banana in but you got it, it really doesn’t matter! Mel:)
I hope the house hunting has been successful, Mel!
Interesting “former” life you had :-)
Thank you Gudy, unfortunately still nothing on the home front:( Ha, yes it was an interesting time – funny the jobs that you end up doing when you’re travelling! M x
Looks yummy and your pictures are beautiful!
Oh thanks Corinne! Hope that you’re well:) M x
You are a lady of many talents! Love the banana pear combo. I’m sure working in an Irish pub in France would have been great fun with many laughs along the way!
Thanks Catherine, yes we had some good times there… M x