Description
This Easy Cranberry Banana Nut Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast or a snack. Combining ripe bananas, tart cranberries, and crunchy walnuts, this loaf is lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for added warmth. Ready in just over an hour, it’s a simple, comforting treat that’s sure to please your whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Optional: 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg if using. This ensures even distribution of leavening and spices throughout the bread.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the mashed ripe bananas with granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender and light.
- Add Cranberries and Nuts: Stir in the fresh or dried cranberries along with the chopped walnuts or pecans, distributing them evenly through the batter.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top to create an even surface for baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown on top.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, slice and serve.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Fresh cranberries will add a tart burst, while dried cranberries provide sweetness and chewiness.
- Walnuts can be substituted with pecans for a similar nutty flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to prevent the bread from becoming dense.
- Storage: Keep the bread wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. It also freezes well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
