Bitter-soaked Figs and Banana Loaf

Beer-soaked fig quick banana bread combines chewy, sweet dried figs with a malty English beer. The bitterness of beer and walnuts cut through the thick sweetness of the black mission figs and overripe bananas, resulting a deeply satisfying, delicious and ultra-moist quick bread that you will really love. DO NOT skip the brown butter step! It takes just a few minutes to transform a simple quick bread into gourmet baked goods with that rich, nutty, and caramel flavour that you can’t get enough.

Bitter-soaked Figs and Banana Loaf

adapted from Sainsbury Magazine


100 g Dried figs (or dates) 180 ml English bitter 175 g Butter 80 g Coconut sugar (or brown sugar) 2 Medium eggs, at room temperature 2 Very ripe bananas, mashed 200 g White spelt flour, sifted 2 tsp Baking powder 1/2 tsp Fine sea salt 75 g Walnuts, chopped 30 g Demerara sugar

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Chop the dried figs into small pieces, place in a small pan with the beer, bring to the boil, and set to one side.
Melt the butter in another pan, letting it foam and colour. Remove it from the heat when it is speckled brown. Set to one side to cool a little. Line a 9-11cm x 20-22cm loaf pan with baking paper.
Whisk the coconut sugar and eggs together with an electric mixer until foaming and increased in volume. Fold in the browned butter, the mashed bananas and soaked figs, plus any soaking liquid. Fold in the white spelt flour, baking powder and salt, followed by the chopped walnuts.
Spoon the mixture into the loaf tin. Sprinkle the demerara sugar across the top of the cake mixture.
Bake in the middle of hot oven for 55-60 minutes or until the cake is risen and golden and a skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before turning out of the loaf tin. Leave to cool completely before slicing.

30 comments:

speedy70 9/8/26 13:06: Bello e goloso il tuo dolce!!!!
DEZMOND 9/8/26 13:37: What a splendid combo indeed!
Stara vrtlarica 9/8/26 14:00: And this is amazing! I really like dates and figs. I can smell your bread all the way here.
Rose world 9/8/26 14:02: Oooo. I want some!! I love banana bread. Those nutty flavour adds more texture and taste to it. Yummy.
My name is Erika. 9/8/26 14:40: This looks so DELICIOUS! I priced out some white spelt flour recently in my area, and it is crazy expensive. I guess I need to stick with
regular" spelt. Have a super rest of your weekend.
Tom 9/8/26 16:21: ...banana bread has always be a favorite of mine.
Modrina Neba - Blue sky 9/8/26 18:04: Wonderful bread!
DeniseinVA 9/8/26 19:05: I am fascinated that you soak the figs in beer Angie. I would enjoy tasting this bread. It looks delicious!
David Scott Allen 9/8/26 21:50: This is a fascinating combination! I’ve never imagined using bitters except for in a drink. I think I’ll give this a try.
Linda's Relaxing Lair 9/8/26 22:12: Dear Angie, this looks and sounds amazing!
Christine 9/8/26 23:02: yummy
Cooking Julia 9/8/26 23:35: So many different flavors in this cake, I love it!
David M. Gascoigne, 9/8/26 23:59: I am fond of all the ingredients so put them together and satisfaction is assured.
Brian's Home Blog 10/8/26 00:26: That sure does look great!
J.P. Alexander 10/8/26 00:35: Gracias por la receta. Tomó nota. Te mando un beso.
Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3 10/8/26 06:47: I do not know why bitter sounds so appealing to me. Maybe it is because when I am soaking wet, I am bitter.
Tandy | Lavender and Lime https://tandysinclair.com 10/8/26 07:30: I am sure I would manage to devour that in one day!
Margaret D 10/8/26 12:42: Interesting combination for sure, Angie but sounds a good one.
Ananka 10/8/26 14:30: That looks so good :-D
The Velvet Runway 10/8/26 17:48: I love banana bread and the figs must add a delicious flavour.
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Lori 10/8/26 18:19: That looks and sounds delicious.
DVArtist 10/8/26 19:23: This looks so moist and delish.
MELODY JACOB 10/8/26 19:34: Soaking figs in English bitter beer is pure genius baking brilliance! Browning the butter brings out incredible nutty caramel notes readers love. Cut me a thick slice immediately because this loaf looks mouthwateringly delicious.
Bill 10/8/26 21:38: That looks really good.
🇺🇸Baking with Nessa🇺🇸 11/8/26 01:55: What a lovely twist on the banana bread! The demerara sugar adds a nice crunch on top, I love this! ~Nessa
Ruby Rose and the Big Little Angels 3 11/8/26 05:38: I love bananas but not sure about figs
eileeninmd 11/8/26 10:11: Hello Angie,
The banana loaf looks yummy, thanks for sharing.
Take care, have a great day!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen 12/8/26 13:28: I'm not usually a big banana bread fan, Angie, but this loaf looks terrific! The boozy figs would definitely win me over.
Judee 14/8/26 13:37: It's a beautiful golden color and looks delicious.
Sherry's Pickings 17/8/26 04:38: this looks gorgeous Angie! I love walnuts ! and demerara sugar!
sherry