Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf Recipe

Okay, listen up, my baking besties! I have a confession. I was staring at my counter, and it was a scene. On one side, a trio of bananas so ripe they were basically singing to me. On the other, a bag of carrots giving me the serious side-eye.

Banana bread? Carrot cake? I couldn’t choose. My heart wanted both. So my brain did the only logical thing. It screamed, “MASH THEM TOGETHER!” And friends, let me tell you, the Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf that was born is a straight-up masterpiece. It’s the cozy hug of banana bread wearing the sparkly party hat of carrot cake. Come to Mama!

Recipe Overview

• Cuisine: American
• Category: Breakfast Bread, Loaf Cake, Tea Time Treat
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 65-75 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 40 minutes
• Servings: 1 glorious loaf (about 10 slices)

Do You Love This Recipe Too?

I am obsessed because it solves EVERYTHING. Got sad bananas? Sorted. Want a treat that feels fancy but is secretly easy? Done. Need something that works for breakfast, a snack, AND dessert? You’ve found it.

The first time I made it, the smell alone had my family hovering around the oven. That warm, spiced, sugary aroma is pure happiness. One bite and we were all hooked. It’s now my most-requested loaf cake, and I’m not even mad about it.

My Shopping List for This Recipe

This is the fun part! We’re building flavor with simple stuff. The key players are your ripe bananas, fresh carrots, and the warm spices that make it taste like a hug. If you love this veggie-sweet combo, you have to try my Carrot Banana Muffins next!

Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready

Grab your bowls and your favorite mixing spoon. Let’s line everything up. Pro tip: Having it all ready before you start makes the process so smooth and fun!

• 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
• 1 cup grated carrots (packed)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional but amazing!)
• 1/2 cup raisins or shredded coconut (optional!)

Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)

Ready? This is where the magic happens. Don’t rush. Enjoy the process of creating something wonderful.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over. This is your get-out-of-the-pan-free card later!
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set this spiced flour mixture aside.
3. In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are totally fine!
4. To the bananas, add the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla. Whisk it all together until it’s completely combined and looks creamy.
5. Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet banana mixture. Use a spatula and mix just until you no longer see dry flour. Do not overmix!
6. Now, fold in your grated carrots, and if you’re using them, the nuts and/or raisins. The batter will be thick and gorgeous.
7. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth out the top with your spatula.
8. Bake for 65 to 75 minutes. Start checking at 65 minutes—a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
9. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper “handles” to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. I know, the wait is torture!

Fun Variations to Try Next Time

Once you master the base, play with it! Make it your own.

For a tropical twist, swap the raisins for crushed pineapple (drained well) and use coconut oil. It’s a vacation in a loaf.

Chocolate chip everything! Fold in a heaping 3/4 cup of chocolate chips instead of nuts. The melty chocolate with the spiced cake is unreal.

Recipe

Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf Recipe

Make Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf Recipe with simple ingredients and clear steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for cozy evenings.

Author: Jennifer McDonallds

Prep: 20 min | Cook: - | Total: 20 mins

Serves: - 4 + bites

★ Rate 🖨 Print

Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready

• 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
• 1 cup grated carrots (packed)
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional but amazing!)
• 1/2 cup raisins or shredded coconut (optional!)

Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)

1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over. This is your get-out-of-the-pan-free card later!

2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set this spiced flour mixture aside.

3

In a large bowl, mash your ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are totally fine!

4

To the bananas, add the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, and vanilla. Whisk it all together until it’s completely combined and looks creamy.

5

Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet banana mixture. Use a spatula and mix just until you no longer see dry flour. Do not overmix!

6

Now, fold in your grated carrots, and if you’re using them, the nuts and/or raisins. The batter will be thick and gorgeous.

7

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Smooth out the top with your spatula.

8

Bake for 65 to 75 minutes. Start checking at 65 minutes—a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

9

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper “handles” to lift it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. I know, the wait is torture!

Notes

Enjoy your homemade Carrot Cake Banana Bread Loaf Recipe!

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 10 slices per loaf)

Calories: ~320

Fat: 14g

Carbohydrates: 46g

Fiber: 2g

Sugar: 28g

Protein: 4g

Did You Make This?

Leave a review and tag us on social media!

Make it extra decadent with a simple cream cheese swirl. Mix 4 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg yolk. Drop spoonfuls onto the batter in the pan and swirl with a knife before baking.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Keep this beauty fresh! Once completely cool, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container.

It will stay perfect at room temperature for 3-4 days. To freeze, wrap the whole loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap, then in foil. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

For the absolute best experience, warm a slice in the toaster oven or microwave for 10-15 seconds. It tastes like it just came out of the oven!

NUTRITION INFORMATION

• Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 10 slices per loaf)
• Calories: ~320
• Fat: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 28g
• Protein: 4g

*Note: This is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredients and optional add-ins used.

A Quick Q&A on This Recipe

Can I use frozen bananas?

Absolutely! Thaw them completely first. They’ll release a lot of liquid—just pour most of it off before mashing. They work like a charm.

My bananas aren’t super ripe. What can I do?

No panic! Place your unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes, until the skins are black. Let them cool, and they’ll be perfectly mushy and sweet for mashing.

Do I have to use the spices listed?

The cinnamon is non-negotiable for me—it’s the soul of this loaf! But you can play with the nutmeg and ginger. A pinch of cloves or allspice is also a fantastic addition.

So there you have it! My ultimate mash-up love child of a recipe. It’s moist, it’s spiced, it’s packed with goodness, and it makes your whole house smell like a bakery. If you’re a fan of cozy, spiced loaves, my Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Bread is your next must-bake.

This is the loaf cake that will make you a hero at brunch, the star of your tea time, and the answer to your 3pm snack craving. I am so excited for you to try it.

I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out! Did you add nuts? Go for the chocolate? Please leave a comment and a rating below to let me know what you think!