This Cranberry Orange Banana Bread recipe yields an incredibly moist and flavorful banana bread scented with orange, warm earthy spices and studded with tart cranberries. Slice and serve with softened salted butter. Yields 2 loaves or 16 thick slices.

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

It’s not everyday that I have overly ripe bananas hanging out on the counter.

But when I do, I make banana bread.

And since the holidays are here, I had an idea and decided to add grated orange zest and fresh cranberries for a festive spin on my classic recipe. The results? Delicious. The subtle orange with the tart cranberries really work nicely with the banana flavor. It was everything I hoped it to be!

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

This cranberry orange banana bread would make an excellent gift. But equally amazing as an addition to breakfast or brunch and would also be the perfect after dinner dessert. I’ve even included instructions for storing and freezing below.

ingredients for Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

To Make This Cranberry Orange Banana Bread You Will Need:

  • unbleached all-purpose flourGives structure to the banana bread.
  • baking sodaCreates a gas while baking which helps the cake rise
  • baking powderWill create lightness in the batter, which makes it rise.
  • fine saltUse either sea salt or pink himalayan.
  • cinnamon (ground) – Lends a distinct warm and woodsy flavor.
  • ginger (ground) – Gives a pungent, spicy and sweet flavor.
  • nutmeg (ground) – Warm, aromatic with subtle hints of clove.
  • mace (ground) – A similar flavor to nutmeg with notes of cinnamon and black pepper.
  • bananasUse very (and I mean very) ripe bananas for added moisture, flavor and sweetness.
  • granulated sugar (white) – Adds sweetness and flavor.
  • light brown sugarFor a touch of sweetness and caramel-y flavor.
  • orange zestAdds bright and distinct citrusy notes.
  • unsalted butterAdds moisture, richness and flavor.
  • eggsLends richness and flavor.
  • vanillaAdds warmth and enhances all of the other flavors in this recipe.
  • milkAdds moisture. Feel free to use any milk you have on hand.
  • orange juiceGives additional orange flavor and moisture to the batter.
  • cranberries (fresh)- Lends a pop of color with bright, sweet and tart flavor.

grease two 9x5 loaf pans

Position your oven rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 325°.

Lightly grease (and line with parchment if desired) two 9×5 loaf pans with nonstick baking spray with flour. Or you could also grease and use parchment paper.

whisked dry ingredients

Prep the Dry Ingredients:

In a bowl measure and add 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon fine salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon ground mace.

Whisk to combine and set aside.

mashed bananas

Prep the Wet Ingredients:

In a medium bowl, peel and add 3 very ripe bananas and use a fork to mash to desired consistency.

How to quickly ripen unripened bananas:

Don’t have ripe bananas but you need and want to make this bread? Simply place your unpeeled bananas on a small rimmed baking sheet. Slide them in a 350° oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Once cooled and save to handle, peel and add to a bowl before mashing!

sugar and orange zest

Then in a large bowl, add 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup light brown sugar and the zest of 1 large orange – this will give a subtle orange flavor.

A Note On Orange Flavor:

The orange in this quick bread is subtle and perfect (in my opinion). However if you want more orange flavor, consider upping the amount of orange zest.

rub sugar and zest together

Use your fingers to mix and massage the sugar and zest together until it resembles coarse wet sand.

Pour melted/cooled butter into sugar mixture

To the sugar mixture, pour in 1/2 cup melted and cooled butter.

Add eggs, vanilla, milk and oj

Crack and add in 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice.

whisk until combined

Whisk well to combine.

Add mashed banana mixture

Add the mashed banana and stir to combine.

work in batches add dry ingredients

Combine the Dry and The wet ingredients:

Gradually add in 1/3 of the flour mixture at a time.

Mix until just combined and repeat with remaining dry ingredients

Mixing until just incorporated. Repeat with the rest of the flour mixture two more times.

combined batter

Try not to over mix.

Add cranberry halves

Lastly add in 2 cups halved fresh cranberries.

Fold in cranberry halves

Use a rubber spatula to fold the cranberries in to the bread batter.

divide batter among pans - about 2 and 1/2 cups

Measure and divide the batter evenly among the two prepared pans. It’s about 2-1/2 cups per pan.

spread tops smooth and bake

Bake The Bread:

Spread the top of the batter smooth and bake in the lower-third of your oven for 40 to 45 minutes OR until a tester comes out of the middle with a few crumbs attached. In my oven, that took 40 minutes. Because every oven is different, I recommend checking at the 35 minute mark.

Rotate the pans halfway through to ensure even baking.

Carefully remove from pan and let cool

Allow the cranberry orange banana bread to cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes before carefully turning out and placing on a wire wrack to further cool.

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

Best when served warm with softened salted butter. Maybe even a drizzle of honey and a cup of coffee or tea too!

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

How To Best Store and Freeze This Cranberry Orange Banana Bread:

Allow the bread to cool completely before storing. This quick bread will last up to 3 to 4 days on the counter if wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. For freezing, double wrap each loaf in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze up to 4 months.

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

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Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

Enjoy! And if you give this Cranberry Orange Banana Bread recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread
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Yield: 16 servings

Cranberry Orange Banana Bread

This Cranberry Orange Banana Bread recipe yields an incredibly moist and flavorful banana bread scented with orange, warm earthy spices and studded with tart cranberries. Slice and serve with softened salted butter.
Yields 2 loaves or 16 thick slices.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt, sea salt or pink himalayan
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
  • 3 medium very ripe bananas, (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 large orange, zested (see notes)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups halved cranberries

Equipment

  • Razab Glass Loaf Pan w/Lids set of 2

Instructions 

  • Position your oven rack in the bottom third of your oven and preheat to 325°. Grease two 9x5 glass loaf pans with a nonstick baking spray with flour. Or grease with butter and use parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, measure and add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and mace. Whisk to combine.
  • In another medium bowl, peel and add the very ripe bananas and use a fork to mash to desired consistency.
  • In a large bowl, add both sugars and the orange zest (see notes). Use your fingers to massage the sugar and the zest until well combined and the mixture resembles coarse wet sand.
  • To the sugar mixture, add the (cooled) melted butter, eggs, milk, orange juice and vanilla. Use a whisk to stir and combine. Next add the mashed bananas and stir switch to a spatula to incorporate.
  • Add in 1/3 of the flour mixture, mixing until just combined and repeat this two more times.
  • Add the cranberry halves to the bowl and gently fold them into the batter.
  • Divide the batter among the two prepared loaf pans (about 2½ cups of batter per pan). Spread the top of the batter evenly and bake in the lower third of your oven for 40 minutes or until a tester comes back with only a few crumbs attached.
    Rotate the pans halfway through to ensure even baking.
  • Remove and allow the bread to cool in the pans for 15 to 20 minutes before carefully turning out and placing on a wire wrack to further cool.
  • Slice and serve with softened salted butter or as desired.

Notes

How to Quickly Ripen Unripened Bananas:
Don't have ripe bananas but you need and want to make this bread? Simply place your unpeeled bananas on a small rimmed baking sheet. Slide them in a 350° oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Once cooled and save to handle, peel and add to a bowl before mashing!
A Note On Orange Flavor:
The orange in this quick bread is subtle and perfect (in my opinion). However if you want more orange flavor, consider upping the amount of orange zest.
How To Store and Freeze:
Allow the bread to cool completely before storing. Will last up to 3 to 4 days on the counter if wrapped in plastic wrap. Or freeze up to 4 months.
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
Serving: 1slice, Calories: 184kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 253mg, Potassium: 79mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 253IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 1mg