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Banana Loaf
Wandile

Amasi Banana Loaf Recipe

A moist, spiced banana loaf made with amasi (or buttermilk) for extra tang, and a warm mix of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Best the next day, toasted with butter. 
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 16 Slices
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: South African

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ripe bananas room temp
  • 3 large eggs room temp
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup amasi or buttermilk (room temp)
  • 1/2 cup milk room temp
  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Loaf tin (9x5 in)
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Toothpick or skewer
  • Clingwrap
  • Fork to mash bananas

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (374°F), and grease and line your loaf tin.
  2. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl until mostly smooth.
  3. Whisk in the eggs, brown sugar, canola oil, and vanilla extract until roughly combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices.
  5. Alternate adding the dry mix and wet ingredients stirring gently. Stop as soon as no flour streaks remain — don't overmix.
  6. Pour the batter into a greased and lined loaf tin. Bake at 190°C (374°F) for 45–50 minutes.
  7. Insert a toothpick into the centre — it should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs. The top should be deep golden brown and spring back when pressed.
  8. Let the loaf sit in the tin for 5 minutes, then wrap it with cling wrap to lock moisture.
  9. Let it cool completely before slicing.
  10. Use bananas that are properly spotty or almost black — underripe bananas won't give you the same sweetness or moisture.
    Don't skip resting the loaf before slicing. Cutting in too early gives you a gummy centre, even if it's fully baked.

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