Sufra Dayma:

Banana Nut Loaf

By Moushira Abdel-Malek

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Serves 12

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups self-raising flour

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs + vanilla essence

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp corn or maple syrup

2 large ripe bananas (mashed)

1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts (or) pecans

1/4 cup chopped dates

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

1/2 cup butter (at room temperature)

Method:

Lightly grease a 15 cm x 25 cm loaf pan. Sift flour, salt and cinnamon together. In a large bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and sugar until fluffy and creamy. Add nuts, dates and milk. Stir gently to combine. In another bowl, beat butter and syrup. Stir in banana and milk. Mix over egg mixture. Add sifted flour mixture and combine gently by means of a spatula. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake in a preheated oven for about 45 minutes or until firm.