With all this aping around, training and fundraising, a Great Gorilla can get mighty hungry.

What he or she needs is banana scones. Fuel for that arduous training regime and a fundraising tool for the entrepreneurial ape who fancies getting into the cake business.

INGREDIENTS

• 50g soft brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 225g plain flour, plus extra for rolling out
• 75g sultanas or raisins
• 50g butter
• 1 medium sized banana
• About 100 ml semi-skimmed milk, plus extra for brushing scone tops

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 22O degrees C/Gas mark 7.

2) Sieve the flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

3) Cut the butter into small cubes and rub into the flour until the mixture begins to take on the appearance of large breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and the sultanas or raisins and stir everything together until the mixture is evenly blended.

4) Peel the banana, put it into a measuring jug and mash with a fork. Add milk up to the 175 ml mark and add to the dry ingredients, then mix to a soft dough. Add more flour or milk if too sticky or dry.

5) Dust work surface with flour. Roll out the dough to 1.5 cm thick. Cut into 5 cm rounds and put on a non-stick baking tray. Re-roll the remaining dough and cut more rounds to use it all up.

6) Brush the tops of the scones with mild and bake for 10 minutes. Put on a wire rack to cool.

Serving Suggestion: Slice the scones in half and fill with fresh whipped cream and slices of banana.