Here’s a big, impressive cake with a delicious flavour and great texture. And that’s before the fudgy, gooey, nutty topping has been added. With the topping…? Oh, yes, you definitely should try it.

Makes: A large cake that provides up to 15 slices

Time: Hands-on/prep – about 40 min. Baking – 70 – 75 min. About 15 min. for the topping.

Level: Quite easy, but take care with the topping under the grill

Need: A 23cm/9” round baking tin, preferably with a loose bottom

Ingredients

175g/6oz unsalted butter
175g/6oz light soft brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
125g/5oz walnuts, chopped
3 ripe (going brown) bananas, peeled and mashed
½ tsp mixed spices
350g/12oz self raising flour
Pinch of salt
1 tsp baking powder
300ml/10fl oz plain/Greek yogurt
1 – 2 Tbsp runny honey

For the topping

75g/2½oz unsalted butter
175g/6oz light soft brown sugar
1 – 2 Tbsp runny honey
2 – 3 Tbsp double cream
At least 75g/2½oz walnut halves or pieces

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / 350°F / Gas 4. Grease and line the cake tin. (Line it with baking parchment that rises above the edges of the tin. I also like to use a wetted “bake even band” around my cake tins, but that’s optional.)

2. Put the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat until creamed together. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. (Add in a tsp of the flour if the mixture begins to split.) Stir in the walnuts, mashed bananas and spices.

3. Sift then stir in the flour, salt and baking powder. Add in the yogurt and honey and fold it all in together.

4. Pour or spoon the mixture into the tin. Level the surface. Bake for 70 – 75 min. (Check at 60)

5. For the topping, first turn the grill on to heat up. Put the butter, sugar, honey and cream in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer while stirring. Remove from the heat and stir in the walnuts. Spread this over the top of the cake and then place under the grill for a few minutes until it bubbles. (Keep a close eye on it as the nuts will burn very easily and very quickly.)

I hope you enjoy this lovely cake. If you want more cake recipes click this link, or have a look at my site for lots of other great recipes, both sweet and savoury. Below are a few that I’d love you to try:

Bara Brith