Thursday 3 September 2009

Banana Strawberry and White Chocolate Loaf

I want to start off by thanking each and every one of you for the lovely messages of condolence and support. It’s been a tough time and I miss Ollie very much, it’s hard waking up some mornings not being greeted by his beautiful face but I take strength from him and how much he fought for life. Last week we picked up his ashes and both hubby and I shed some more tears together as we placed his wooden casket alongside the burning candle we light in his memory each day since his passing. Each day is a new day and as everyone keeps telling me time is a great healer but Ollie will always be in my heart and I won’t ever forget the happiness and love he gave me. Today was not a good day for me but I know I need to carry on and do the things I enjoy, so I ventured into the kitchen and did some baking.

I had some strawberries and ripe bananas and decided to combine the both with some white chocolate and make a quick cake loaf. I love this combo of flavours, having made some muffins with the same combo not long ago. This utterly lush loaf delivers a moist sweet sponge, with the delightful blend of mashed banana and studded through with bite-sized strawberry chunks and white chocolate chips. A match made in heaven!

Banana, Strawberry and White Chocolate Loaf

Ingredients
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup banana, mashed (about 2 medium sized bananas)
¼ cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt1 cup strawberries, hulled and chopped
½ cup white chocolate chips or chunks

Preheat oven to 350. In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each one. Add the banana and the milk. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda and salt and add to the creamed mixture until just blended. Using a spoon mix in the strawberries and chocolate chips. Pour into a greased 9X5X3 inch loaf pan and bake in your preheated 350 degree oven for about 1 hr and 20 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in pan then remove to cool completely on a wire rack.

18 comments:

Katiecakes said...

That's so sad :( I lost both my cats a year and a half ago and I still well up if I think about them.

All my love

Katie xox

Reeni said...

You brought tears to my eyes. I understand how special the love for a cat can be. I feel it for my Moon. *HUGS*

I love this combo of flavors. Looks delicious!

Pity said...

hola maria,

venga mujer! animate!

carry on bringing us your lovely recipes, like this banana loaf, it looks sooooo delicious!

muchos besitos,

pity

Nic said...

Thinking of you still.
Glad to see you baking, this looks really good.

Lucie said...

This looks delish!, I oftern have strawberries and banana to use up so I will give this a try.

Hope you're ok.
Lucie x

Snooky doodle said...

this looks so good! the combination of banana abd strawberries must be awesome !

Anonymous said...

Hi! My name is Magali and I'm from Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
I'm very sad for happened with your kitty...really. I have a cat- Matute- and I love very much. His my baby.
About your blog is beautiful...and the recipes yummy!
Visit my blog...Bye bye!!!
Magui
http://thisismyworld2009.blogspot.com/

Maggie said...

What a beautiful combination of flavours to include in a loaf cake Maria.

Palidor said...

Oh, I'm soooo sorry! I lost a kitty many years ago, and it still saddens me to this day. Pets bring so much joy to our lives. The loaf looks wonderful. I love how you combined banana, strawberry, and white chocolate.

George@CulinaryTravels said...

This looks so good Maria.

Maria said...

I want a slice!

Petit Filoux said...

I made a version of this with raspberries and it's so delicious! Thanks for the recipe! Had to adapt it in grams as I don't do cups, check it out on my blog! x

Anna said...

Hope you're feeling better Maria, I know it must be so hard. Baking therapy sounds like a good plan. This looks delicious; I'd love to try it with raspberries..

Jacqueline Meldrum said...

That looks great Maria!

I really feel for you. It is so hard when you lose your cats. I lost my wonderful Beaker and Elmo in December, just a day apart. They were both 17, but that doesn't help, especially when you have to have them put down. It just breaks your heart. I still miss them so much. Oh no, the tears are flowing now.

Hugs to you

Love
Jac

Anonymous said...

Just pottered onto your blog! Following you instantly! :) So sorry to hear about your cat - I have two myself and couldnt imagine how heartbreaking it is! ((cuddle))

Cant wait to try your recipies!

freckles x

Crystalin Dunn said...

I'm so sorry for your heartbreaking loss.

I found your blog through Reeni's blog, and I have to say, you had me at hello. Between this too-good-to-be-true cake and your doughnut muffins, plus your affinity for Nigella(one of my all-time faves!), I'm hooked. Thanks for a tremendously well-done blog.

Anonymous said...

Oh yum I am going to make this loaf this Saturday! But will use strawberry jam hope it works ok....all suggestion?
From Mel in Christchurch, NZ

Christine said...

Excellent recipe. I have been making a lot of banana loaves lately since it is my sons favourite. May have to spruce it up a bit and make him love it even more. I may regret it in the end, but at least there is banana and strawberries mixed in with the chocolate!

Thanks for sharing this,
Christine