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Loaf of irresistible cranberry apple banana bread with slices on a wooden table.

Cranberry Apple Banana Bread

A delightful blend of sweet bananas, tart cranberries, and juicy apples creates this heartwarming bread, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Bread
  • 2 pieces ripe bananas, mashed the riper, the better for sweetness
  • 1 cup peeled and diced apples choose a sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Fuji
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries if using frozen, there's no need to thaw
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar adjust to your taste
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar for added moisture and flavor
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted can substitute with coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option, use almond or oat flour
Optional Mix-ins
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts walnuts or pecans for added crunch
  • 1/4 cup oats for heartiness

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, apples, and cranberries, gently folding to coat.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugars, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until well blended.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the fruit mixture and stir until combined.
  5. In another bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mix to your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined (do not overmix!).
  6. If using nuts or oats, fold them in at this stage.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
  2. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Don’t overmix; mixing too much will make the bread dense. Try different fruits like blueberries or dried fruits instead of cranberries. For a healthier option, use honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar. Wrap leftover bread in plastic wrap and keep at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze for up to three months. Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired.