Mary Berry Banana Cake Recipe: A Simple Guide to Baking Perfection

Mary Berry is a household name synonymous with baking excellence. Her recipes are renowned for their simplicity, deliciousness, and guaranteed success. This article delves into one of her most beloved creations: the Mary Berry banana cake. We'll break down the recipe step-by-step, offering tips and tricks to ensure your bake is as perfect as Mary's.

Ingredients for Mary Berry's Banana Cake

Before you start, gather these essential ingredients. Precise measurements are crucial for baking, so ensure you have a reliable kitchen scale.

• 225g/8oz self-raising flour: This is the base of your cake, providing structure. You can substitute plain flour with 2 teaspoons of baking powder added, but self-raising flour simplifies the process.
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda: This is a raising agent that helps the cake rise beautifully.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: This adds a warm, comforting spice to the cake. Feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg or allspice.
• Pinch of salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• 225g/8oz caster sugar: Provides sweetness and moisture.
• 100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened: Ensures a tender crumb. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming.
• 3 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• 3 ripe bananas, mashed: The star of the show! Overripe bananas are best, as they are sweeter and will provide more moisture.
• 50ml/2fl oz milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smoother batter.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Baking Mary Berry's Banana Cake

Now, let's bake! Follow these instructions carefully for the best results.

Step 1: Preheat & Prepare

Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4. Grease and flour a 20cm/8 inch round cake tin. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your cake.

Step 2: Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, and salt. Sifting aerates the flour, preventing lumps in your cake.

Step 3: Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is best done with an electric mixer, but can be achieved with a wooden spoon if you prefer a more hands-on approach. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Step 4: Combine

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake.

Step 5: Bananas & Milk

Stir in the mashed bananas and milk until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool & Enjoy

Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can dust it with icing sugar, add a simple buttercream frosting, or enjoy it plain.

Tips for Banana Cake Success

• Ripe Bananas are Key: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more moist your cake will be.
• Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
• Check for Doneness: Use a skewer to check if the cake is baked through. If the skewer comes out clean, it's ready.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.

Variations on Mary Berry's Banana Cake

While this recipe is perfect as is, feel free to experiment with variations:

• Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add texture and flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: A handful of chocolate chips adds a delicious sweetness.
• Different Spices: Experiment with nutmeg, allspice, or ginger.

This Mary Berry banana cake recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With its simple steps and delicious results, it's a perfect bake for both beginners and experienced bakers. Enjoy!