I feel like my life as a parent can be measured out in banana bread. When I was horribly sick and pregnant with Lilias, I craved its sweet yet filling and bready goodness constantly. A cafe down the road from my work made a deliciously moist banana bread and I would rush down to get a coffee and a piece at 3 o’clock to help get me through until we closed at 7pm. I found a recipe I loved and baked a long line up of them in the weeks before Lilias arrived, only to have a mouse nibble the end of each and every one of them as they cooled on the bench. Tears may have been shed…

Since babies, then toddlers, then preschoolers and school aged children have been part of my life, I have baked banana breads on repeat. Most weeks I find myself mashing bananas with a fork, the oven warming and a coffee brewing. The children’s interest in cracking eggs and measuring out oil waxes and wanes as time passes, but I generally find one set to helping hands to make more of a mess than is necessary. Should we make a classic loaf or one made with almond flour? Do we add chocolate on top? Olive or coconut oil? A banana bread can be many things. And there is still nothing I love more for afternoon tea than a warm slab with a hot coffee.

I am often asked for my favourite recipe and so here you have it. My humble opinion on the many, many banana bread recipes I have tried.

• The best classic banana bread is Ottolenghi’s one from Plenty More. I don’t add the nuts. I don’t add the tahini or honey comb. Just some butter spread on top and preferably warm from the oven.

• The best quick and easy make in a blender recipe is Eleanor Ozich’s from My Family Table. I love the addition of almond butter to make it rich and moist. It also happens to be gluten, dairy and almost sugar free.

• My other favourite gluten free recipe is from Cannelle et Vanille which contains a few more ingredients and is absolutely delicious.

• I also went crazy for this banana bread for a while- the addition of coconut and chocolate makes it taste like a bounty bar in all the right ways. I will put it on the list to bake over the weekend!