Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. butter, melted
• 1/4 cup cognac or dark rum
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt (fat-free)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ¾ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 12 walnut halves for garnish
• Fresh cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg C. Combine banana, ½ cup brown sugar, 5 tbsp. butter and 3 tbsp. cognac (if using) in a nonstick pan.
2. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to bubble.  Remove from heat, cool.
3. Place banana mixture in a large bowl.  Add yogurt, remaining ½ cup brown sugar and eggs.  Beat with a mixer on medium speed.
4. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients through allspice in a small bowl.  Add flour mixture to banana mixture.  Beat just until blended.
5. Pour batter into 9 x 5” loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
6. Bake at 200 deg C for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Remove from oven, cool 10 minutes in pan.  Remove from pan and leave to cool completely.
7. Combine remaining 1 tbsp. melted butter, remaining 1 tbsp. cognac, powdered sugar, stir until well blended.  Drizzle over warm bread (I have omitted this step).