Banana - Berry - Walnut Bread
A moist banana-berry bread with crunchy walnuts and warm spices, perfect for breakfast or a snack, offering a delightful blend of fruity and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 beaten eggs ⓘ
- 1 cup sugar ⓘ
- 3/4 cup mashed strawberries or raspberries ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups whole berries ⓘ
- 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana ⓘ
- 1/4 cup oil ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- In another bowl, stir together eggs, sugar, mashed strawberries or raspberries, mashed banana, oil, and orange peel.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 70 minutes.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool on a rack.
Tips & Substitutions
For a moister bread, consider adding a bit of yogurt or applesauce to the batter. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or almonds work well as substitutes. You can use any combination of berries, and frozen berries can be a great alternative if fresh ones aren't available. Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the bread light and fluffy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve slices of this Banana - Berry - Walnut Bread warm or at room temperature. It pairs beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a spread of cream cheese. For a delightful brunch, consider serving it alongside a fresh Peach-Orange Salad or a cup of your favorite coffee. This bread also makes a great snack on its own.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, slice and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes for a fresh taste.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Banana - Berry - Walnut Bread contains roughly 789 calories, with 7g protein, 60g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (69% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1577mg per serving (69% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen berries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen berries in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw and drain them before adding to the batter to avoid excess moisture. This way, you can enjoy this delicious bread year-round, regardless of the season.
How can I make this recipe healthier?
To make this Banana - Berry - Walnut Bread healthier, you can substitute whole wheat flour for part or all of the all-purpose flour. Additionally, consider reducing the sugar by using honey or maple syrup, or adding more mashed bananas for sweetness without the extra calories.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the baking soda and other ingredients are also gluten-free. The texture may be slightly different, but it should still turn out delicious.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).