Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Carrot Cake Banana Bread brings together the best of two classic treats into one moist, flavorful loaf. Packed with warm spices, shredded carrots, and ripe bananas, it’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Topped with a creamy cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting, it’s sure to be a new favorite.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3-4 medium bananas)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1 cup shredded carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans (optional)
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8×4 inch loaf pans and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat well until fully combined.
4. Step 4: Sift in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Stir gently just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
5. Step 5: Fold in the shredded carrots until evenly distributed in the batter.
6. Step 6: Stir in the mashed bananas, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7. Step 7: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans and smooth the tops.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pans.
9. Step 9: While the bread cools, prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth.
10. Step 10: Add vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until well combined and creamy.
11. Step 11: Once the bread is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the tops of both loaves.
12. Step 12: If desired, sprinkle crushed pecans and a little shredded carrot on top for garnish.
13. Step 13: Slice and serve. Enjoy your delicious Carrot Cake Banana Bread!

Tips & Variations

• Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
• For a nut-free version, omit the crushed pecans or substitute with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin.
• Add chopped walnuts or raisins into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer, bake in a single 9×5 inch loaf pan; increase baking time to 50–60 minutes, checking doneness regularly.
• To make the frosting lighter, reduce powdered sugar slightly or add a tablespoon of milk for spreadability.

Storage

Store leftover Carrot Cake Banana Bread covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. To reheat, warm slices individually in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this bread without cream cheese frosting?

Yes, the bread is delicious on its own and can be served plain or with a simple butter spread if you prefer to skip the frosting.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

You can substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber. The texture may be slightly denser but still tasty.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 141 reviews

This Carrot Cake Banana Bread combines the moistness of banana bread with the warm spices and shredded carrots typical of carrot cake. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of pecans and extra carrots, it’s a delightful twist on two classic favorites perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 2 loaves (about 12 slices per loaf) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Bread

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 3–4 medium bananas)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1 cup shredded carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup crushed pecans
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8×4 inch loaf pans thoroughly to prevent sticking during baking.
2. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes a few minutes.
3. Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract until all are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and ground allspice to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening.
5. Mix dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir just until combined to avoid overmixing which can make the bread tough.
6. Add carrots: Fold in the shredded carrots until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Add mashed bananas: Pour in the mashed bananas and gently mix until the batter is uniform in color and texture.
8. Bake the bread: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Place them in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow loaves to cool completely in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully.
9. Prepare cream cheese frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
10. Add flavorings and sugar to frosting: Mix in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and powdered sugar until fully combined and the frosting is fluffy.
11. Frost the bread: Once the banana bread is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the tops of the loaves.
12. Garnish: Sprinkle crushed pecans and extra shredded carrots on top of the frosting for added texture and visual appeal.
13. Serve and store: Slice and enjoy your carrot cake banana bread. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Ensure the banana bread is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• You can substitute pecans with walnuts or omit nuts if desired.
• For a healthier version, use less sugar or substitute part of the flour with whole wheat flour.
• Leftover bread can also be frozen without frosting for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.
• Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.

Keywords: carrot cake banana bread, banana bread recipe, carrot cake recipe, cream cheese frosting, easy banana bread, spiced banana bread