I haven't done a tremendous amount of fiddling with this, but I did once make it, for friends who are more chocolate-crazed than I am, by replacing 25g of the flour with good cocoa powder (not drinking chocolate) and adding 100g of dark chocolate, cut up into smallish chunks. And you could just as easily use the chocolate chips sold in the baking aisle of supermarkets. If you're thinking about giving this cake to children, don't worry, the alcohol doesn't pervade: you just end up with stickily, aromatically swollen fruit.
Recipe posted by Nigella
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Just made this and it is amazing!!!! I mashed the bananas, leaving quite large chunks and it was really nice and moist! Will definately be making this again...and again...
Posted by Miramar243 on 15th May 2011 at 23.38
Tucking into this now warm from the oven! 1st time I've tried it; deliciously moist and fluffy! Didn't have any rum in so used sweetened fruit juice instead. Fab way to use overripe bananas!
Posted by charliethecello on 29th Aug 2011 at 21.07
I have made this three weeks running. It's amazing and it's definitely raising my Domestic Goddess status!
Posted by Chocolate Lovely on 2nd Nov 2011 at 9.56
I love this recipe. I'd like to send one as a Christmas present but don't know how long it will last if well wrapped and posted.
Posted by Rushwick Mum on 9th Nov 2011 at 18.17
Very good, i mean, it's pretty hard to mess up banana bread. The addition of nuts and dried fruit makes it a cut above the others.
Posted by manonlescaut on 2nd Apr 2012 at 13.10
I make this with the Doves Farm gluten free flour mix and replace half the sugar with a dark sugar (muscavado or molasses). Awesome!
Posted by fdgirlie on 26th Apr 2012 at 9.58
WOW - honestly the best banana bread I have ever made!!! The rum-soaked sultanas MAKE this =) amazing texture too...in between fluffy & cakey - amaze!!!
Posted by Melissa86 on 22nd May 2012 at 12.35
I've just made this using agave syrup instead of sugar. I used about 125ml. My friend has recently switched to a no-sugar diet as she has cancer and some research has shown that she shouldn't eat it, but she loves cake, so I'm experimenting with various cake options! This has turned our really well. Any more sugar free alternatives to make my friend happy, would be greatfully received :)
Posted by redfraggle on 22nd Sep 2012 at 19.40
Tried making it but I made a twist to it by adding some brandy,no one gets hurt with some alcohol..?
Posted by lakshan js on 4th Oct 2012 at 16.57
Banana Bread is my "go-to" comfort food. So yummy when its hot from the oven! Arthur in the garden! www.arthur-in-the-garden.com
Posted by Arthur in the Garden! on 7th Oct 2012 at 19.24
I made a very simple banana cake yesterday. It turned really well and taste good, my family liked it. I will try to make your way. Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by donut1 on 18th Oct 2012 at 20.27
This recipe is delicious!! I love it in the paper loaf liner, looking all pretty. But the taste has soooooo much more to offer. I made a double recipe of this today without mashing the bananas too ambitiously and used a pleasing addition of cinnamon and not too much nutmeg in the dry ingredients, and added luscious brown muscavado sugar to the wet instead of caster sugar. For the raisins I didn't want them overly boozy so steeped them in mostly boiled water and a splash of Sherry. The loaf came out a RICH chocolate brown, which is all the colorings of the muscavado. One loaf was left without raisins or walnuts for the kids and they are quite pleased with that :D
Posted by Helios-cum-guava on 26th Oct 2012 at 22.33
Just made this!!!delicious!the best banana bread !!!!I've tasted.
Posted by aliyarebello on 27th Oct 2012 at 14.35
Fabulous recipe. Fabulous banana loaf. I've baked it often & always the chocolate version using 35g cocoa & 100g dark choc chips. I also swap the raisins for dried sour cherries & the walnuts for almonds which is a delicious combo with the rum. Also I have made one scrumptious version with 3oog of peeled, deseeded & grated marrow, which turned out very nice indeed - just as moist as banana & I guarantee we couldn't taste the marrow. Today I'm trying this cake with butternut squash instead. Can't wait to try it.
Posted by Soupdragon99 on 27th Oct 2012 at 16.28
made this soooooo many times - it's better than any other recipe I've tried for banana bread. hmm, my rapidly ripening bananas over there are crying out for me to make some more today - instead of exam revision..! thanks Nigella x
Posted by blingulator on 29th Oct 2012 at 13.12
I've just made this for the first time...it is now cooling and if the smell filling the house is anything to go by then it will taste fantastic :) ....due to health issues I had to substitute the butter for olive oil and sugar for honey...will let u know how it goes
Posted by Amanda's on 4th Nov 2012 at 13.03
I loved the deep flavours I got from using bourbon. I only used half the sugar and found it a perfect sweetness. I sliced up and keep in the freezer. still moist when defrosted overnight or zapped in microwave for 10 secs. very versatile.
Posted by KylieYoung on 23rd Nov 2012 at 21.04
Simply divine! The perfect end for your overripe bananas. The boozy sultanas really make it. I'll try the choc version next time. And there will be a next time!
Posted by AlisonCooper on 24th Nov 2012 at 6.01
Just put this recipe in the oven as I speak! Have been doing this version of banana bread for many years, we adore it in our family and in fact my son (now age 20), who doesn't live at home any more, has accosted my copy of nigella's book so he can make this himself!! (am still waiting for that...and my book...) - hence my access of website for a little reminder... There are so many versions of banana bread, all of them lovely, and yet i always defer to this one myself...a little more work than some, but full of so much depth and flavour...can't get enough...highly recommended...thanks! xx
Posted by melri on 11th Jan 2013 at 17.44
I too had to resort to Google because I had lent my book to a friend - hope I see it again. This is staple diet in our house. I prepare the fruit after baking, ready for next time! I think it absorbs more of the booze, which I don't drain (though it is delicious to drink). Put fruit and rum into a jar, zap for 1 minute and keep in the cupboard. Dried cranberries are good in the mix, look pretty and add a pleasant sharpness. I also make individual buns in silicone cases for quicker baking and convenience. Sometimes top them with 'carrot cake' icing.
Posted by Diva domesticus on 29th Jan 2013 at 12.21
Made this using Dove's gluten free flour only had self raising so halved baking powder and used golden caster sugar was lovely. Got 11 good sized slices which I have frozen, will be making again.
Posted by titian28 on 14th Feb 2013 at 22.59
I made 2 loaves of this banana bread, one with chocolate chips and one with raisins for a charity lunch we had today. It was really moist and scrumptious tasting and everyone enjoyed this lovely recipe.
Posted by blackpoppy on 3rd Mar 2013 at 18.34
Thank you so Much, for another great success! :-) :-) Made this banana bread last saturday, and everybody loved it!!... I'm spreading the word, and I'll be making it many more times.
Posted by marta.perdigao on 1st Apr 2013 at 14.09