Banana-Cranberry Holiday Bread
A festive banana-cranberry bread bursting with tart cranberries, fragrant citrus peels, and crunchy walnuts, perfect for holiday gatherings and breakfast treats.
Ingredients
- 4 tsp butter ⓘ
- 12 oz cranberries ⓘ
- 2/3 c walnuts
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon ⓘ
- grated peel of orange ⓘ
- grated peel of lemon ⓘ
- 1/3 c fresh orange juice ⓘ
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 c mashed ripe bananas ⓘ
- 3/4 c packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 c sugar ⓘ
- 3 large egg whites ⓘ
- 1 large egg ⓘ
- 2 c flour ⓘ
- 2 c whole-wheat flour ⓘ
- 4 tsp baking powder ⓘ
Instructions
- In a 12-inch skillet over medium heat, melt butter and cook cranberries, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon for about 10 minutes or until cranberries pop, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine grated orange and lemon peels and juice, mashed bananas, brown sugar, egg whites, and egg; mix well.
- Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans.
- In a medium bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the cooked cranberry mixture until evenly distributed.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pans.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread stand for 10 minutes before removing from pans.
- Cool on wire racks before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the wet mixture. If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the brown sugar slightly. For a nut-free version, substitute walnuts with sunflower seeds. Ensure the bananas are very ripe for the best sweetness and moisture. For an added twist, you can incorporate spices like nutmeg or ginger, reminiscent of classic holiday flavors.
Serving Suggestions
This banana-cranberry bread pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast or an afternoon snack. For a festive touch, serve it with a dollop of whipped cream cheese or a side of spiced butter. It also makes a lovely addition to a holiday brunch spread alongside dishes like Cinnamon-Apple Brunch Bake or Hootenany Cake.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep it fresher longer, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week. To reheat, slice the bread and warm it in a toaster or a microwave for a few seconds, ensuring it remains moist and delicious.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Banana-Cranberry Holiday Bread contains roughly 628 calories, with 7g protein, 55g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (55% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1035mg per serving (45% 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 cranberries in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries. Just add them directly to the skillet without thawing, and cook until they pop. This may take a few extra minutes, but the flavor will remain vibrant and delicious.
Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour and whole-wheat flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it includes xanthan gum for the best texture. Additionally, double-check that your baking powder is gluten-free.
Can I add other fruits or nuts to this bread?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in chopped apples, pears, or even dried fruits like raisins or apricots. You can also substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different crunch. Just keep the total volume of add-ins similar to maintain the bread's balance.
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).