Notes from my Kitchen 13 - Play date Tea

My older son is getting ready to start school next year and so I invited some friends round with children the same age, and who are considering the same schools as we are.
I decided to treat them to some of my favourite teatime bakes.
Chocolate, carrot and spice cake with chocolate butter cream
Banana, date and coconut loaf (recipe from my cookbook included in the section below)
Orange oat bars
Pecan and cinnamon biscotti
Butternut and feta mini quiche
I always try to include recipes that have fruit and veg and encourage the children to share our tea. My boys always request a large bowl of homemade popcorn, so this was on the menu together with my homemade granadilla cordial.

Banana, Coconut and Date Loaf

This is my favourite version of a moist and flavoursome banana bread. It is perfect for birthday parties or afternoon tea. This loaf freezes well for up to a month, but it is usually eaten within a few days in our house. I use a loaf tin measuring 35cm x 10cm.

125g butter

200g light brown sugar

2 large eggs at room temperature

½ t vanilla extract

2T plain yoghurt

5 large ripe bananas mashed

160g flour

90g brown flour

1t bicarbonate of soda

1t cinnamon

½ cup coconut and chopped dates

Pinch of Salt

Preheat the oven to 180C. Sift the dry ingredients, adding the wheat husks from the brown flour back in. Cream the butter and sugar until pale. Add the lightly beaten eggs and vanilla to the sugar mixture, together with a tablespoon of flour, and stir by hand. Add the yoghurt. Add the rest of the dry ingredients a third of the mixture at a time. Fold in the bananas. Bake at 180C for 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack and cover with a cloth until cooled completely. Store in an airtight container.