Am I the only person who deliberately leaves bananas go bad so that I can bake with them? I’m a lover of banana bread, peanut butter and banana muffins and now this.

Banana, Coconut and Dark Chocolate Traybake

This is a combo of a few different recipes I have used over the years for banana bread and tray bakes with some extra bits like coconut added in.

I love tray bakes as they are so easy. Typically the recipes us an all in one method so you’re not faffing about with creaming butter/sugar etc and they can be cut into squares so easy to serve and store. Great for parties or just to munch on at home.

You will need:

2 very ripe bananas
150g plain flour
150g caster sugar
100g butter
30g of sweet desiccated coconut
3 tbsp milk
100g dark choc bar bashed to pieces
1 tsp bicarb of soda
1tsp baking powder
2 large eggs ( free range)

Grease your baking dish. I use a rectangular pyrex dish. Preheat oven to gas mark 3.

Firstly chop or bash your dark chocolate – I use a heavy rolling pin to break it up whilst still in packaging to avoid mess.

Then put all ingredients into a mixing bowl or electric mixer. I use an Andrew James mixer which is similar to a kitchen aid.
If mixing by hand use a wooden spoon and beat well. If using a mixer turn to the highest speed and blend for 1-2minutes.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Turn onto a cooling rack ( if you don’t want the rack impressions turn it to the correct side – I like them so I don’t) and leave to cool.

Once cooler chop into squares – the size is up to you! If you eat it while still warm you will get some gorgeous chunks of melted choc,

You could top with melted dark choc and coconut – this would be lovely if making for an occasion. I like it just as it is.

The sweetness of the banana works so well with the bittersweet chocolate. One of my favourite bakes already and I’ve only made it three times.