Banana & Fig Bread

Many café or store brought banana breads tend to be high in calories, sugar and fats. However, making your own at home is the ideal way to control ingredients for a healthy, delicious snack you can enjoy more often. Figs promote digestive heath, are rich in antioxidants, may support a healthy blood pressure and bone health.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
• 4 fresh figs, chopped
• 1 fresh fig, sliced for garnish
• 1 ½ cups self-rising flour 
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten 
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup (add more if you prefer sweeter)
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon bicarbonate (baking) soda 
• ¼ teaspoon salt 

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 175°C. 
2. Grease a loaf pan, line with baking paper. 
3. In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork until puree-like. Stir in oil until incorporated. Add eggs, vanilla, brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir until well combined. Add figs. 
4. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and powder, salt and cinnamon.
5. Add dry mixture to wet mixture. Stir until well combined. 
6. Place mixture into tin. Add sliced fig on top and sprinkle some brown sugar on top. 
7. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until the bread has cooked through.
8. Cool completely in the tin before removing. 
9. Serve at room temperature or lightly toasted, Enjoy!