Go Back

Cherry and Chocolate Banana Loaf Cake

This cherry and chocolate banana loaf is a simple homemade bake that's naturally sweetened by ripe bananas and cherries, with just a modest amount of added sugar and oil. The combination of cocoa, chocolate chips and juicy cherries makes it feel like a treat, while the oats add texture and help make it satisfying enough for breakfast as well as afternoon tea. It's a versatile recipe that's just as suitable for summer garden parties and picnics as it is for a weekend bake. If you need a dairy-free version, simply use dairy-free chocolate chips and plant-based milk. For a gluten-free loaf, replace the flour with a suitable gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free oats. Serve the cake as it is, decorate it with fresh cherries, or drizzle over melted chocolate for a more indulgent finish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 4 hours
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 people
Cuisine: Mid&East European
Calories: 1234

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup muscovado sugar
  • ½ cup good-quality chocolate chips
  • 1 cup cherries pitted and halved
  • A splash of milk if needed

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line a 900g loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
  3. Stir in the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, cinnamon and eggs until well combined.
  4. Add the self-raising flour, baking powder and oats, mixing until just combined.
  5. Stir in the muscovado sugar and chocolate chips. If the batter seems too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it slightly.
  6. Gently fold in the halved cherries.
  7. Spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin and level the top.
  8. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the loaf is well risen and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  9. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. If you like, drizzle with melted chocolate and leave it to set before slicing.