Unbeatable Carrot Cake Banana Bread
Holy smokes guys. Ever since COVID19 and the quarantines began I think we’ve all been doing a lot more cooking than we’re used to – or at least I am. I used to bake allll the time and then somewhat let that go the last few years. Insert quarantine, frustration, boredom, and all the other emotions and now I’m in the kitchen trying out all kinds of new things. I’ve never made banana bread on my own before until this year. Pumpkin bread, however, I’ve perfected. I’ve tried a few different banana bread recipes because I’m a sucker for mixed flavors, especially anything with cream cheese. This carrot cake banana bread recipe is such a great integration of flavors AND the cream cheese spiced icing is just DIVINE. If you do try be sure to let me know!
Carrot Cake Banana Bread
- 3/4 granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar – can be light or dark
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (I use unsalted)
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 4 ripe mashed bananas (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered (confectioner’s) sugar
- 1/2 cup toasted pecan bits (optional)
- Frosting
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease two 8×4 pans and set aside. I like to use butter rather than spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar & brown sugar. You’ll know it’s done when it’s fluffy!
- Mix in both eggs and vanilla.
- Next, sift in flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cinnamon.
- Blend until just combined. (I use my KitchenAid for all of this). Toss in shredded carrots.
- Add in the mashed bananas and mix until well blended.
- Throw in the oven for 35 minutes. Test with a toothpick in the center of each loaf. I actually had to bake for about 8 more minutes for the center to be fully cooked.
- While your bread is baking or while it’s cooling, start on the greatness that is this frosting.
- Whip together the softened cream cheese and butter.
- Sprinkle in cinnamon and vanilla extract.
- Add in powdered sugar.
- Mix until light and fluffy
- Allow bread to completely cool before applying frosting.
- Top with the pecan bits – unless you’re nuts and hate nuts. Jk. But I LOVE pecans.
WARNING: You WILL fight your spouse/significant other/roommate .. anyone over this carrot cake banana bread heavenly deliciousness.
DISCLOSURE: I had a good amount of left over frosting. I definitely ran off with the bowl, a spoon, and zero shame.
September 28, 2020 @ 6:05 pm
My husband is a carrot cake fanatic and we both love banana bread. I should try this!!!
September 28, 2020 @ 8:18 pm
Stop! Two of my favorites…together! This looks delcious!
September 28, 2020 @ 9:38 pm
This looks amazing! I love the combination of carrot and banana. I definitely want to try it.
September 28, 2020 @ 10:16 pm
This carrot cake looks absolutely divine! I would love to sink my teeth into a slice of this!
Kileen
cute & little
September 29, 2020 @ 7:46 am
Um, I’m saving this for later! I love carrot cake and banana bread. I’ve never thought about combining the two. So yum!!
September 29, 2020 @ 9:12 am
Carrot cake banana bread? I’m sold! I love both carrot cake AND banana bread, so this combo of the two has my mouth watering. It sounds divine! I’ll have to bake it on an upcoming weekend, for sure. Perfect for the autumn!
September 30, 2020 @ 1:50 pm
So I normally don’t like carrot cake but the banana makes me want to give this a try! Looks so delicious!
September 30, 2020 @ 9:33 pm
This sounds absolutely delicious! I’ll be trying this recipe ASAP
October 1, 2020 @ 10:24 am
I LOVE Carrot cake! I am definitely trying out this recipe 😊
October 1, 2020 @ 10:45 am
This is a perfect recipe for fall! My mom loves carrot cake so this will definitely be a recipe me & her will try soon. It looks delicious 😋 Thanks for sharing!
October 1, 2020 @ 1:00 pm
Oh my goodness, I love banana bread & I love carrot cake! I can’t believe I never thought to put the two together.Def! going to try this recipe. Thank you:)
October 1, 2020 @ 7:11 pm
Ooh, this looks delicious! I will have to try it! Thanks for the recipe.
October 2, 2020 @ 10:31 am
Great idea! The recipe sounds wonderful. Best of both worlds of cake and bread. I can’t wait to try it out.
October 2, 2020 @ 11:37 am
My my… The combination is ingenious. A foodie that I am, I wanna try this out on the weekend. Thanks for sharing.