Carrot Cake Banana Bread

Name: Carrot Cake Banana Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup walnuts (roughly chopped); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon salt; ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1½ cups mashed bananas; ½ cup shredded carrot; ½ cup milk; ½ cup oil; 2 eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 16 oz cream cheese (optional)

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Carrot Cake Banana Bread is the ultimate fusion of two classic recipes. This quick bread recipe combines the lightly spiced flavors of moist carrot cake with classic banana bread. Topped with cream cheese frosting, it’s an incredibly easy recipe to throw together.

Sliced Carrot Cake Banana Bread on a table next to bananas.

Table of Contents

This week I made 6 loaves of my banana bread recipe, all but one were popped into the freezer to enjoy when the craving strikes. I’ve been making the same recipe for decades, it’s our Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe, simply omitting the chocolate chips.

Perhaps I already have a touch of spring fever, because I’ve been baking like crazy. If you’d like a springtime recipe for breakfast, a snack or for dessert – this easy carrot cake banana bread recipe is a crowd pleaser.

This carrot banana bread mashup has everything you love about banana bread, and introduces a carrot cake twist. It’s truly the best of both worlds. Plus it’s a great recipe to use ripe bananas, we always have those waiting to be used up.

If you have an abundance like I always do, try our Bisquick Banana Bread.

For another winning combination try our Moist Chocolate Banana Cake.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The taste combines everything you love in banana bread with carrot cake.
Makes a delicious breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Our Nutella Banana Bread is another quick bread recipe to try.
Customizable to suit dietary needs and preferences (ex. nut free)
Great use of overripe bananas.

Total Time: 1.5 Hours

Serves: 10

Key Ingredients and Notes

As always, the full ingredients and recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Ingredients on a table to make Carrot Cake Banana Bread.

All-Purpose Flour – Standard all-purpose flour is used in this recipe. You can even use whole wheat flour if you’d like.
Granulated Sugar – The granulated sugar could be substituted with brown sugar, or a combination of 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
Walnuts – The walnuts could be substituted with chopped pecans, or omitted all together.
Warm Spices – ground cinnamon and nutmeg amounts can be increased or decreased to suit personal tastes.
Banana – Use overripe banana for the best flavor. You will need approximately 2 large bananas.
Carrot – The carrot used in this recipe was left unpeeled, however the carrot can be peeled before grating if preferred. Use either shredded carrot or grated carrot.
Milk – For best results use whole fat milk in this recipe. Lower fat varieties of milk could be used, however this may affect the tastes and texture of the banana bread.
Oil – Use a mild flavored oil, such as vegetable, canola or light flavored olive oil. The oil could also be substituted for 1/2 cup of melted butter.
Vanilla Extract – The vanilla extract can be substituted with 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence.
Cream Cheese Frosting – Ready made frosting from the grocery store was used in this recipe, however this could be substituted with your favorite homemade cream cheese frosting recipe, or omitted all together.

Recipe Variations

This banana carrot cake is also great when served unfrosted just like our Moist lackberry Lemon Loaf.
The walnuts could be substituted with chopped pecans, or omitted all together for a nut-free variation.

How to Make Carrot Cake Banana Muffins

Turn this loaf recipe into muffins by following the recipe, then adding the batter to a well-greased muffin tin. Bake for 15-20 minutes, and serve frosted or unfrosted. You can also try our Easy Banana Muffins Recipe.

Sliced Carrot Cake Banana Bread on a table next to bananas and chopped walnuts.

Tips for Success

Cover the banana bread loosely with a sheet of foil if the banana bread is browning too quickly before it has cooked through.
The banana bread is cooked through if it springs back when lightly touched in the center. Alternatively, insert a skewer or toothpick into the center of the banana bread. If the skewer or toothpick comes out clean, the banana bread is cooked through.

How to Make Carrot Cake Banana Bread

STEP 1 not pictured – Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°c. Line an 8 1/2 inch x 4 1/2 inch baking tin with parchment paper and set aside.

STEP 2 – Add the flour, granulated sugar, chopped walnuts, baking soda (not baking powder), cinnamon, salt and nutmeg to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined and set aside.

Mashed banana, shredded carrot and eggs in a glass bowl.

STEP 3 – Add the mashed bananas, shredded carrots, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla extract to another seperate bowl. Whisk until well combined.

Carrot Cake Banana Bread batter in a glass bowl.

STEP 4 – Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. The banana bread batter is combined when no white streaks of flour remain.

Unbaked Carrot Cake Banana Bread in a loaf pan.

STEP 5 – Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the baking tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

A whole frosted Carrot Banana Bread on a table next to bananas and walnuts.

STEP 5 – Decorate this delicious loaf with the cream cheese frosting, if using, before serving. You can also garnish with shredded carrot, sprinkled ground cinnamon and/or chopped walnut pieces.

How to Store Carrot Cake Banana Bread

In the Fridge: Store this banana carrot bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The temperature will be improved if the banana bread is left to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before enjoying.

At Room Temperature – Only if the banana bread is unfrosted can it can be stored at room temperature, in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

In the Freezer – This banana bread is suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

a fork taking a piece of Carrot Cake Banana Bread.

Recipe FAQ

Can I make carrot cake banana bread ahead of time?

Yes, this carrot banana bread recipe can be made days ahead of time, and stored in the fridge or in the freezer.

More Quick Bread Recipes

If you’ve tried this Carrot Cake Banana Bread let me know how it went in the comments below. Also consider leaving a 🌟 star rating. Thanks!

Carrot Cake Banana Bread

Carrot cake banana bread is the ultimate fusion of two classic recipes, carrot cake and banana bread. It has the classic moist flavors of banana bread, with the lightly spiced flavors of carrot cake.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 50

Cooling Time: 30

Total Time: 1 35

Servings:

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Author: Tammi

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup walnuts (roughly chopped)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1½ cups mashed bananas
½ cup shredded carrot
½ cup milk
½ cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
16 oz cream cheese (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°c. Line an 8 1/2 inch x 4 1/2 inch baking tin with parchment paper and set aside.
Add the flour, granulated sugar, chopped walnuts, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined and set aside.
Add the mashed bananas, shredded carrot, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla extract to another large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking tin. Bake for 50 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the baking tin before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Decorate the banana bread with the cream cheese frosting, if using, before serving.

Notes

Cover the banana bread loosely with a sheet of foil if the banana bread is browning too quickly before it has cooked through.
Store frosted banana bread in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The temperature will be improved if the banana bread is left to sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before enjoying.
If the banana bread is left unfrosted it can be store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
This banana bread is suitable for freezing. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.