Vodka Banana Loaf with caramelised fruits

Adding another entry after a long break. Still wondering the reason for not updating the blog while cooking was still on in the kitchen. I baked this loaf for my brilliant friend, or sidekick or whatever is called these days, meeting after a year or so and she loved it. We have known each other for around 7 years and counting, someone who will pick up the phone at 3 am. Anyway, the creepy doodles on the image sounds Christmas and yes it was made in December.

I used vodka while mashing the ripe bananas, the flavour intensified a bit along with the obvious booze. As far as the topping is concerned, just add thinly sliced bananas and fruits of your choice on top, sprinkle it with castor sugar and bake them in the oven. The whole process of doing it separately in another pan and burning it is avoided.

Gather these:

• All purpose flour     – 280 grams/ 2+1/3 cups
• butter                         -110 grams
• castor sugar              – 200 grams/ 1 cup approx
• ground cinnamon    – 1 teaspoon
• vanilla extract           – 1 teaspoon
• eggs                             – 2 large
• ripe bananas             – 4-5 medium
• milk                            – 50 ml(3 tablespoon+1 teaspoon)
• vodka                         – 125 ml (1/2 cup)
• baking soda              – 1 teaspoon
• salt                             – 1/4th teaspoon
• thinly sliced bananas, cranberries etc – a handful along with castor sugar to sprinkle.

Start with:

• Preheat your oven to 170 degrees
• Peel the bananas and mash them along with vodka, use your hands for a better texture.
• In a clean dry bowl, sieve flour, ground cinnamon, salt and baking soda.
• Take another bowl, cream butter and sugar well. Add the vanilla, eggs one by one and beat it till creamy and thick.
• Add the mashed banana and milk, mix it well. Fold in the flour and combine well to form a thick mixture.
• Line your baking tin with parchment and add the mix and even it at the top. Add the fruit slices on top and generously sprinkle castor sugar all over it, covering the fruits.
• Bake for around an hour, check in between to confirm if done or not.
• Once baked, the top will be having a crusty texture with caramelised fruits on it. Cool the loaf and serve with some whipped cream or with vodka 😀