Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dairy-Free: Ideal for those with lactose intolerance or following a dairy-free diet.
- Naturally Sweetened: Utilizes ripe bananas and pure maple syrup for sweetness, eliminating the need for refined sugars.
- Moist and Flavorful: The combination of applesauce, bananas, and grated carrots ensures a tender crumb with every bite.
- Versatile: Enjoy it plain or top with a dairy-free cream cheese frosting for added indulgence.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup grated carrots (from about 2 medium carrots), excess moisture removed
Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Directions
- Prepare the Carrots: Grate the carrots and remove excess moisture by placing them in a cheesecloth and squeezing out the liquid.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the egg, applesauce, mashed bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the quick oats, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Incorporate Flour and Carrots: Gently fold in the flour until just combined, then add the grated carrots. Avoid overmixing.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 30 minutes, then cover with foil and continue baking for an additional 10-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Frosting: While the bread cools, prepare the dairy-free cream cheese frosting by beating together vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon until smooth. Once the bread is completely cool, spread the frosting on top.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 10 slices
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Vegan Option: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water; let sit for 5 minutes) and ensure the frosting is vegan.
- Add-Ins: Incorporate chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans, or mix in raisins for added texture and flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the white whole wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Once cooled, store the bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted bread. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
- Reheating: Enjoy slices at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
FAQs
What makes this bread dairy-free?
This recipe uses applesauce and oil instead of butter, and offers a dairy-free cream cheese frosting option, making it suitable for those avoiding dairy.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the white whole wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, you can make this bread gluten-free.
How do I prepare the carrots for this recipe?
Grate the carrots finely and remove excess moisture by placing them in a cheesecloth and squeezing out the liquid.
Can I omit the frosting?
Absolutely, the bread is delicious on its own without the frosting.
How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper the bananas, the sweeter the bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?
Yes, adding chopped nuts or raisins can enhance the flavor and texture of the bread.
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftover bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Can I freeze the bread?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted bread for up to 3 months.
How do I reheat the bread?
You can enjoy the bread at room temperature or warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
With a simple substitution of the egg with a flax egg and using the dairy-free frosting, this recipe can be made vegan.
Conclusion
This Carrot Cake Banana Bread offers a delightful twist on traditional banana bread,
Carrot Cake Banana Bread
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10 slices
Description
Carrot Cake Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful dairy-free treat that combines the warm spices of carrot cake with the natural sweetness of banana bread. Naturally sweetened and refined sugar-free, it’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a wholesome snack.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup quick oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup grated carrots, excess moisture removed
Instructions
- Prepare the Carrots: Grate the carrots and squeeze out excess moisture using a cheesecloth.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine egg, applesauce, mashed bananas, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in oats, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine Flour and Carrots: Gently fold in flour, then incorporate grated carrots. Avoid overmixing.
- Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan. Bake for 30 minutes, cover with foil, and bake another 10-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Optional Frosting: Beat together vegan butter, vegan cream cheese, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon for a dairy-free frosting. Spread once bread is cool.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for optimal sweetness.
- Add nuts or raisins for extra texture and flavor.
- To make gluten-free, substitute with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
