Banoffee pecan loaf

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 170°C, gas mark 3. Grease and line a 1kg loaf tin. For the cake, beat together the sugar and butter until pale, light and fluffy. Add the eggs gradually with 1 tbsp of the flour, followed by the bananas. Beat together. Fold in the remaining flour, baking powder, salt, pecans and fudge chunks, and mix to combine. Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

2. 2

   To make the caramel, gently heat the butter and sugar together in a small pan, until dissolved. Increase the heat and allow to bubble for 45-60 seconds, until the sugar starts to turn a deep golden colour. Remove from the heat and carefully add the cream, then mix together. Pour the caramel into a bowl to cool.

3. 3

   For the glazed pecans, melt the sugar in a wide frying pan over a gentle heat for about 4-5 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally. Remove from the heat, add the pecans, then carefully turn them until coated. Tip onto a tray lined with baking parchment. Separate out into individual pecans, then leave to harden.

4. 4

   Allow the loaf to cool for 30 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely or until only slightly warm, as preferred. Drizzle the caramel over the top of the cake, then finish with the glazed pecans.