Moist Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe

Magical Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe For Sweet Tooths

Sweet and moist carrot cake banana bread marries two beloved desserts into one irresistible treat.

Warm spices dance through each tender slice, promising comfort in every bite.

Ripe bananas contribute natural sweetness while grated carrots add delightful texture and nutrition.

Home bakers love how simple ingredients can create such a remarkable bread.

The fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla weaves magic through the batter.

Loaded with nuts and optional cream cheese frosting, this bread becomes an instant crowd-pleaser.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this delectable fusion that turns ordinary afternoons into special moments.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredient List for Carrot Cake Banana Bread

For Main Ingredients:
  • Softened Butter: Provides rich, creamy base that ensures tender, moist texture.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Brings deep sweetness and helps caramelize the bread's exterior.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients and creates structural integrity for the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor depth to the entire recipe.
For Flour and Spices:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundational structure with light, soft crumb.
  • Baking Soda: Helps bread rise and achieve perfect light texture.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Allspice: Provides warm, aromatic spice profile typical of classic carrot cake.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor complexity.
For Moisture and Texture Ingredients:
  • Bananas: Introduces natural sweetness and incredible moisture to the bread.
  • Carrots: Adds subtle vegetable sweetness, vibrant color, and interesting textural element.
  • Cream Cheese: Creates luxuriously smooth, tangy frosting that complements spiced bread.
  • Pecans: Optional crunchy topping that provides delightful nutty contrast.

Tools to Make Carrot Cake Banana Bread at Home

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing batter until fluffy.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Loaf pans (8×4-inch): Needed to shape and bake the bread.
  • Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps evenly distribute dry ingredients.
  • Spatula: Great for folding in carrots and bananas, and scraping batter.
  • Cake tester or toothpick: Checks bread doneness by testing center.
  • Medium bowl: Used for preparing cream cheese frosting.
  • Grater: Helps shred carrots for the recipe.
  • Knife or offset spatula: Spreads frosting evenly on cooled bread.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread: Baking Instructions

Carrot Cake Banana Bread Delight

  • Preparation Zone

Get ready to transform your kitchen into a cozy baking paradise. Grab your mixing bowls, loaf pans, and a sprinkle of enthusiasm for this delicious adventure.

  • Mixing Magic

Blend softened butter with sugars until the mixture looks fluffy and cloud-like. Crack in some eggs and a splash of vanilla, stirring until everything dances together smoothly.

  • Flour Power

Gently fold in dry ingredients, creating a batter that whispers sweet promises of deliciousness. Mix carefully to keep the texture light and tender.

  • Veggie and Fruit Fusion

Introduce shredded carrots and mashed bananas into the batter, letting their natural sweetness shine through. Stir until perfectly combined.

  • Baking Bliss

Pour the batter into greased loaf pans and slide into a warm oven. Let the bread bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.

  • Frosting Fantasy

Whip up a dreamy cream cheese frosting that will make taste buds dance. Spread generously over cooled bread, creating a creamy blanket of deliciousness.

  • Final Flourish

Sprinkle some crushed pecans on top for a delightful crunch that adds texture and visual appeal to your masterpiece.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread Tips and Swaps

  • Replace all-purpose flour with whole wheat or gluten-free flour blends for a healthier or dietary-specific version of the bread.
  • Toss in chopped walnuts, raisins, or dried cranberries to add extra crunch and flavor complexity to the banana bread batter.
  • Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or cloves to enhance the traditional carrot cake flavor profile and create a more intricate taste experience.
  • Reduce sugar content by substituting half the granulated sugar with applesauce or using honey as a natural sweetener alternative.
  • Wrap the unfrosted loaves tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy fresh banana bread whenever a craving strikes.

How to Serve Carrot Cake Banana Bread

  • Sweet Morning Companion: Pair this delightful carrot cake banana bread with a steaming cup of coffee or tea for a perfect breakfast treat that brightens your morning.
  • Afternoon Tea Elegance: Slice the bread into thin pieces and serve on a beautiful platter during afternoon tea gatherings, creating an impressive homemade dessert that will wow your guests.
  • Decadent Dessert Transformation: Turn individual slices into a show-stopping dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzling caramel sauce, and sprinkling extra chopped pecans for a luxurious after-dinner indulgence.
  • Gifting Delights: Wrap individual loaves in decorative parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a heartwarming homemade gift that friends and family will absolutely adore.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread: Best Storage Methods

  • Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your carrot cake banana bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for 3-4 days, maintaining its delightful moisture and flavor.
  • Chilled Delight Technique: Refrigerate the frosted bread in an airtight container for up to one week, ensuring the cream cheese stays fresh and the texture remains soft.
  • Freezer-Friendly Method: Slice the bread before freezing, wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for convenient 2-3 month storage. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the bread batter or fully baked loaves up to 2 days in advance, storing them covered in the refrigerator to save time and enhance flavor development.
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Moist Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe

Moist Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Banana-infused carrot cake bread offers a delightful fusion of classic flavors with moist, spiced goodness. Bakers can savor this delectable treat that seamlessly blends familiar comfort with innovative culinary creativity, delighting you with each wholesome slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) mashed bananas (about 34 medium bananas)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) shredded carrots
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened
  • ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (60 g) crushed pecans
  • ¼ cup (30 g) shredded carrots
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground allspice

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8×4-inch loaf pans thoroughly.
  2. Creaming: Whip softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, then incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully integrated.
  3. Dry Ingredients: Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and salt into the wet mixture, gently folding to combine without overmixing.
  4. Moisture Incorporation: Fold in shredded carrots and mashed bananas, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
  5. Baking: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing the surfaces, and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Cooling: Remove from oven and allow loaves to cool completely on a wire rack.
  7. Frosting Creation: Blend softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, then mix in vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and powdered sugar until achieving a creamy, spreadable consistency.
  8. Finishing: Generously frost cooled loaves and garnish with crushed pecans and additional shredded carrots for textural and visual enhancement.

Notes

  • Moisture Magic: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, evenly mixed batter that prevents lumps and guarantees a tender bread texture.
  • Spice Selection: Toast whole spices briefly before grinding to enhance their aromatic oils and deepen the warm, complex flavor profile of the bread.
  • Carrot Prep Tip: Squeeze excess moisture from shredded carrots using a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy bread and maintain optimal texture.
  • Frosting Finesse: Chill cream cheese and butter for 15 minutes before mixing to achieve a stable, non-runny frosting that spreads beautifully and holds its shape.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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