Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Grease and line two medium (or three small) loaf tins.

Step 2

Mash the bananas and vegetable oil together in a bowl and set aside.

Step 3

In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the mashed banana mixture until well combined.

Step 4

Mix the flour, baking powder, ground spices and salt together in another bowl and lightly fold into the banana mixture. Add the raisins and pecans and fold together lightly.

Step 5

Spoon the cake mixture into the loaf tins and bake in the oven for 1½ hours, or until risen and golden-brown. Check after one hour and reduce the oven temperature slightly if the loaves are browning too quickly on the top, or cover the loaves loosely with aluminium foil.

Step 6

Leave the banana bread to cool in the tins, then turn out and serve in thick slices.