Banana and Cherry Loaf

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350F°/Gas 4
2. Drain the maraschino cherries, reserving 2 tbsp syrup.
3. Cut the cherries into quarters and set aside.
4. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
5. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the butter, sugar, eggs and reserved cherry syrup and mix on medium speed of an electric mixer until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
6. Mash the bananas.
7. Add the flour mixture to the bowl alternately with the mashed bananas beginning and ending with flour mixture.
8. Stir in the cherries and nuts.
9. Spread the batter evenly in a greased 23 cm x 13 x7 cm/ 9 x 5 x 3-inch baking tin.
10. Bake for about 1 hour or until golden brown and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
11. Cool for a few minutes in the tin, then turn out on to a wire rack to cool.