Mary Berry 2lb Loaf Tin Food

BANANA LOAF

Steps:

• You will need a 900g (2lb) loaf tin, 17 x 9 x 9cm (6½ x 3½ x 3½in) base measurement. Lightly grease the loaf tin and line it with non-stick baking parchment. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Measure all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat for about two minutes, until well blended; an electric mixer is best for this but of course you can also beat by hand with a wooden spoon. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface. Bake for about one hour, until well risen and golden brown. A fine skewer inserted in the centre of the cake should come out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes, then loosen with a small palette knife and turn the cake out. Remove the lining paper and leave on a wire rack to cool completely. Slice thickly to serve. Get your copy of Simple Comforts, Mary Berry's essential new guide to comfort cooking. Featuring over 120 delicious, foolproof recipes, including a whole chapter of Mary's favourite new bakes and puds:

MARY BERRY'S BANANA BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3. Grease and line a 450g/1lb loaf tin with non-stick baking parchment.
• Use a fork to mash the peeled banana in a mixing bowl. Add the remaining cake ingredients (except the chocolate chips) and beat with an electric hand whisk until combined and smooth.
• Stir in the chocolate chips and spoon the mixture into the prepared loaf tin. Level the top.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes or until well risen, shrinking away from the sides of the tin and golden-brown.
• Set aside to cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the tin and leave to cool on a wire rack.
• For the decoration, break the chocolate into small pieces and add to a heatproof bowl.
• Melt the chocolate in the bowl over a pan of simmering water (ensuring that the bowl does not touch the water). Stir regularly, until almost completely melted, then remove from the heat. The heat of the bowl will melt any remaining lumps.
• Spoon the melted chocolate into a piping bag and pipe zig-zags across the top of the loaf. Set aside for the chocolate to set. Slice and serve.

BERRY SHORTBREAD CHEESECAKE SLICE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment. Tip the shortbread into a food processor and blitz into crumbs, or place in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin. Add the melted butter and mix well. Press the mix into the base of the tin.
• Beat the cheese, crème fraîche, vanilla and sugar until smooth, then mix in the flour and eggs until smooth again - you can do this by hand or in a food processor. Pour the mix into the tin and smooth the top with a knife. Bake in the oven for 10 mins, then turn to 120C/100C fan/gas ½ and cook for 1 hr 20 mins or until set with a slight wobble in the centre. Turn off the heat and leave to cool in the oven. Once cool, refrigerate until chilled.
• To make the topping, melt the jam in a small pan over a low heat with enough water to make a pouring consistency, then allow to cool completely. To serve, top the cake with the berries and drizzle with the jam.