Carrot Cake Banana Bread (Print View)

Moist loaf blending carrot cake spices with tender banana bread sweetness

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
09 - 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium)
10 - 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
11 - 1/4 cup neutral oil (or melted butter)
12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
14 - 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)

→ Add-Ins

15 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
16 - 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease thoroughly with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well blended. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the grated carrots, brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
04 - Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Fold in the chopped nuts and raisins if desired, distributing evenly throughout the batter.
06 - Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread evenly and smooth the top surface.
07 - Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. A few moist crumbs are acceptable, but wet batter should not remain.
08 - Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Carefully remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture walks this perfect line between cakes tender crumb and breads satisfying heft
  • You get two bowls of produce used up in one fell swoop which feels like winning
  • The spices somehow make both banana and carrot taste better than they do separately
02 -
  • Grating carrots on the small holes makes them practically disappear while still adding moisture
  • The toothpick test should show moist crumbs not completely clean because this bread continues cooking as it cools
  • Letting it cool completely before slicing is the hardest part but absolutely worth the wait
03 -
  • Use the smallest holes on your box grater for the carrots so they melt into the bread
  • Room temperature ingredients mix together more easily and give you better results

Go Back