Double Cranberry Banana Bread

Banana bread is always in season, regardless of the date or time of year. While traditional banana bread recipes will forever have a special place in our hearts, we will never turn down an opportunity to try a creative twist on the original recipe. This double cranberry banana bread is our latest obsession.

A dynamic duo, whole-berry cranberry sauce and dried cranberries work in tandem to add a wonderful, fruity tartness to what’s otherwise an old-fashioned banana bread recipe that’s moist, sweet and supremely tender. This recipe is a great way to use up cranberry sauce from the holidays or use that extra can lurking in your pantry.

Slice and serve this banana cranberry bread in the morning for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea, or enjoy it as a snack after a long workday. The bright red flecks of berry in every slice make this easy banana bread recipe a favorite among kids for an after-school snack.

Double Cranberry Banana Bread Ingredients

• Shortening: In quick bread, shortening impacts gluten development during mixing and traps air in the batter. This yields a lighter and fluffier final baked product.
• Sugar: Compared to other banana bread recipes, this one uses less granulated sugar since it includes cranberry sauce (which typically contains added sweeteners like sugar or corn syrup) to help further sweeten the bread and provide moisture.
• Eggs: Eggs help tenderize the bread and provide necessary proteins that give the banana bread structure and stability.
• Banana: Even with double the cranberry, this recipe still has plenty of banana flavor thanks to a heaping cup of mashed bananas.
• Vanilla: Use a high-quality vanilla extract for the best banana cranberry bread ever.
• Dry ingredients: This double cranberry banana bread recipe uses a classic blend of all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder to provide structure and lift.
• Whole-berry cranberry sauce: Whole-berry canned cranberry sauce provides sweetness and bejewels each slice of bread with juicy cranberries that are equally sweet and tart.
• Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add even more cranberry flavor to the bread and offer a nice textural contrast to the walnuts and whole cranberries.
• Pecans: As in this banana nut bread, pecans add texture and crunch to this festive, fruity cranberry banana nut bread and offer complementary flavors that pair nicely with banana and cranberries.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar until light and crumbly, then beat in the eggs, mashed banana and vanilla.

Step 2: Whisk together the dry ingredients, then combine

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda until blended. Then gradually beat the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture.

Editor’s Tip: Do not overmix the batter at this stage or the double cranberry banana bread may turn out dense and tough. Mix just until no dry patches of flour remain, then proceed.

Step 3: Add cranberries and pecans

Fold in the cranberry sauce, dried cranberries and 1/2 cup pecans.

Step 4: Top with pecans and bake

Pour the batter into a greased 8×4-inch loaf pan and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup of pecans. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Editor’s Tip: Another way to test banana bread for doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. Once the internal temperature reaches 200° to 205°, the bread is ready to be removed from the oven.

MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME

Double Cranberry Banana Bread Variations

• Try another fruit: If you don’t enjoy cranberries, temper their flavor with cherries. Try this recipe with dried cherries instead of dried cranberries, and use this homemade cherry cranberry sauce instead of straight cranberry sauce.
• Add citrus: Oranges and cranberries are a match made in heaven. Add the zest of one orange to the batter before baking.
• Use different (or no) nuts: If you don’t enjoy pecans, omit them from the recipe. Alternatively, use walnuts or pistachios instead.
• Add spice: Many warm spices pair wonderfully with banana (as in this banana walnut bread) and cranberry. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and/or allspice to the batter for additional flavor.
• Add chocolate: Add up to 3/4 cup of semisweet or dark chocolate chips to the batter. Then, try this chocolate chip banana bread.

How to Store Double Cranberry Banana Bread

To store banana bread with cranberries, wrap it tightly in storage wrap or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight food storage container or zip-top bag. The banana cranberry bread will last up to four days at room temperature. Store it in the fridge or freezer for longer storage.

Can you freeze double cranberry banana bread?

Yes! Like most quick bread recipes, this cranberry banana nut bread freezes like a dream. Allow the banana bread to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in storage wrap and aluminum foil or store it in an airtight freezer container. Banana bread with cranberries will last up to three months in the freezer. Thaw it at room temperature before serving.

Double Cranberry Banana Bread Tips

MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME

Can you replace the cranberry sauce with fresh or frozen cranberries?

If you don’t have cranberry sauce, you can experiment with fresh or frozen cranberries in this recipe. You may need to compensate by adding additional liquid and sugar, however. Start with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or buttermilk. Using fresh or frozen cranberries will also produce a bread that’s less sweet. Toss the whole cranberries with 2 to 3 tablespoons of sugar before adding them to the batter, or add the sugar directly to the batter. This is key to ensuring the banana bread remains sweet, moist and tender.

Can you use jellied cranberry sauce in this recipe?

No. We don’t recommend using jellied cranberry sauce in this banana bread recipe. Jellied cranberry sauce usually contains more sugar and less liquid, which can impact the rise, texture and flavor. Stick to a whole-berry version, like this spiced cranberry sauce.

What can you serve with cranberry banana bread?

This double cranberry banana bread would fit in on any brunch table spread. Serve it with savory breakfast favorites like crisp oven-baked bacon and an egg casserole. Or, keep things light with a continental breakfast spread of hard-boiled eggs, a colorful fresh fruit salad, and an assortment of yogurts and homemade granola.