The last thing we need this merry festive season is a dose of self-hatred and bloating after eating unhealthy snacks. Nor do we need a sugar high whilst rushing around trying to organise everything. So here's something delicious yet healthy that comes with no guilt attached, as it relies on natural sweetness rather than that wicked temptress sugar. All the ingredients are nutritious - and with the figs and cinnamon it smells and tastes very festive indeed! It's pretty quick and easy to prepare, and absolutely get the kids involved in making (and eating) this one, they'll love it.
What you will need: (makes 2 loaves)
4 bananas
2/3 cup coconut oil
50g butter
4 large free-range eggs
200g soft figs
50g dates
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp cinnamon (plus extra for dusting)
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tblsp honey
75g ground almonds
75g nibbed/chopped almonds
400g fine wholewheat flour
100g coarse wholewheat flour
Method:
Chop the figs and dates finely. In a small bowl melt the coconut oil and butter. Set aside.
In a large bowl beat the eggs until light and fluffy.
Mash the bananas and add to the bowl, along with the coconut oil, butter, water, milk, baking soda, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Beat well.
Add the figs, dates, 50g of the ground almonds and 50g of the nibbed almonds. Mix well.
Add both the flours and mix well.
Grease two loaf tins, then divide the mixture equally between them. Sprinkle first with the remaining nibbed almonds, then the remaining ground almonds and gently press down slightly into the mixture using the back of a spoon - this will stop them falling off once cooked! Finally sprinkle generously with cinnamon. Pop into a preheated oven at 175 degrees Celcius for 50 minutes.
Allow to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, slice and enjoy on its own or with butter (which is my preference).
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Many thanks.
All ideas and photos in this post are my own original.
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