Unless you happen to get the exclusive invitation, chances are high that in this lifetime, you won't be able to enjoy the food enjoyed in the hallowed halls of Buckingham Palace. But every so often, members of the British Royal Family will share a taste of their lifestyle by sharing some of their favorite meals and recipes.
In the past, they've shared their how-tos for cucumber tea sandwiches, fluffy scrambled eggs and coronation chicken salad, which remind us that members of the Royal Family are just like us (sort of). It should come as no surprise, then, that even the royals (or their staff) have to contend with overripe bananas. And when there's a surplus of bananas at Buckingham Palace, the move is clear: make banana bread, but make it fit for a queen, of course!
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We recently came across the YouTube channel of former Buckingham Palace chef Darren McGrady, who spent 11 years cooking for the royal family. McGrady’s videos are filled with behind-the-scenes stories and culinary secrets from his 15 years cooking for the royals. McGrady also shares official recipes from his days in the palace kitchen. His recipe for the banana bread that he baked for the Queen caught our attention for a few reasons. Here's why his loaf is so special.
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While we don’t know if Queen Elizabeth II personally mashed the bananas (we like to imagine she did, but we suspect that's not the case), we do know Chef McGrady's Royal Family banana bread recipe was fit for her, her guests and the entire royal household.
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What makes it so special is its fruitcake-like mix-ins, with bits of walnuts, raisins, and cherries scattered throughout the quick bread. The addition of the dried fruit and nuts keeps this loaf incredibly moist and flavorful for any time that sweet craving should strike. The use of self-rising flour simplifies the process, making it easier to throw together without having to measure out additional ingredients. The addition of vanilla bean paste enhances the flavor as well with little bits of vanilla bean flecked throughout.
To make this truly a royal affair, Chef McGrady uses a full pound of bananas. The high moisture content from the fruit helps the bread stay moist and tender for longer than your average banana bread. It also freezes very well, so you might want to consider doubling the batch. With a loaf in the fridge or freezer, you can have a quick breakfast, snack or dessert anytime the banana bread craving strikes.
Related: How to Make the Best Banana Bread of Your Life, According to Martha Stewart
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How to Make Queen Elizabeth's Banana Bread
The original recipe is posted on Chef Darren McGrady's YouTube channel but here’s a quick rundown:
Preheat your oven to 350° and prepare a loaf pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, work the butter into the flour and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the sugar, walnuts, raisins and cherries. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl, mash the bananas and mix them with the eggs and vanilla, then pour this into the well and stir everything together until fully combined. Transfer the batter to the loaf pan, smooth the surface and bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The result is a beautifully moist, fruit-and-nut-studded loaf with a delicate crumb.
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