Christmas Banana Cranberry Bread Recipe

Introduction

This Christmas Banana Bread is a delightful twist on a classic favorite, infused with bright orange zest and juicy cranberries. It’s a moist, flavorful treat perfect for holiday breakfasts or cozy afternoon snacks.

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. fresh orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. orange zest
• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• ¼ cup walnuts (chopped, optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour one 9-inch loaf pan and one small loaf pan.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add the beaten eggs and mix well.
3. Step 3: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Combine this dry mixture with the butter mixture.
4. Step 4: Stir in the sour cream, mashed bananas, vanilla, fresh orange juice, and orange zest until well combined.
5. Step 5: Fold in the dried sweetened cranberries and chopped walnuts, mixing gently until evenly distributed.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake the large loaf for 50-55 minutes and the small loaf for 33-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Step 7: Let the bread cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Step 8: Once cooled, wrap the loaf in paper and tie with string for a festive presentation.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, try adding a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the batter.
• If you prefer, substitute walnuts with pecans or leave nuts out for a nut-free version.
• Use ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best natural sweetness.
• Fresh cranberries can be used instead of dried, but toss them in a little flour first to prevent sinking.

Storage

Store the banana bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or foil at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices gently in a toaster or microwave for 20-30 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas?

Yes, frozen bananas work well. Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and check that your baking soda is gluten-free as well.

Christmas Banana Cranberry Bread Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 66 reviews

This festive Christmas Banana Bread combines rich, moist banana goodness with tangy orange zest and sweet dried cranberries, making it a perfect holiday treat. Enhanced with walnuts for a delightful crunch, this sweet loaf is ideal for gifting or enjoying with your favorite holiday beverage.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 1 large 9-inch loaf (about 10–12 servings) and 1 small loaf 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Bread Batter

• ½ cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas)
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. fresh orange juice
• 2 Tbsp. orange zest

Add-Ins

• 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
• ¼ cup walnuts (chopped, optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour one 9-inch loaf pan and optionally a smaller loaf pan to ensure easy cake release.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter with sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your banana bread. Then add the beaten eggs and mix thoroughly.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture, blending well but gently to avoid overmixing.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in sour cream, mashed bananas, vanilla extract, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange zest, mixing well to combine all flavors evenly.
5. Incorporate Cranberries and Walnuts: Fold in dried sweetened cranberries and chopped walnuts, distributing them uniformly throughout the batter.
6. Pour Batter and Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared pans. Bake the large loaf for 50-55 minutes and the small loaf for 33-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool the Bread: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Optional Festive Wrapping: Once cooled, wrap the loaf with paper and tie a festive string around it to give it a charming holiday presentation perfect for gifting.

Notes

• Use overripe bananas for the best sweetness and moisture in your bread.
• The walnuts are optional but add a pleasant crunch and texture.
• You can substitute dried cranberries with raisins or dried cherries if preferred.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
• Store wrapped banana bread at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• For a dairy-free variation, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and butter with a plant-based alternative.

Keywords: Christmas banana bread, holiday banana bread, cranberry walnut banana bread, festive banana bread, holiday baking