Carrot Cake Banana Bread (Printable Version)
A moist, spiced loaf blending carrot cake flavors with tender banana bread sweetness.
# What You'll 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)
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease thoroughly.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger until well blended. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly. Add the grated carrots, brown sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until fully incorporated.
04 - Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
05 - Fold in the nuts and raisins if using.
06 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.
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.
08 - Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly moist without being dense, like cake disguised as breakfast food
- It uses up those sad spotted bananas sitting on your counter right now
- The warming spices make your whole kitchen smell like a bakery
02 -
- Overmixing is the enemy here, fold gently and stop as soon as flour disappears
- Letting it cool completely before slicing is torture but prevents it from crumbling
- This bread actually tastes better the next day when the flavors have time to become friends
03 -
- Grate your carrots by hand instead of using food processing for better texture
- Room temperature ingredients prevent the batter from separating and create a more even crumb