Banana Walnut Cranberry Mini Loaves Recipe

Get ready to bake the most delightful, moist, and perfectly spiced These individual loaves are packed with sweet, ripe bananas, crunchy walnuts, and tart dried cranberries, making them an irresistible treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. This wholesome recipe is incredibly simple to make and is guaranteed to fill your home with a comforting aroma.

📜 Ingredients

2 ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (halal-certified, or use vegetable oil)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup dried cranberries

📝 Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour four mini loaf pans or line a standard muffin tin with liners for about 12 muffins.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter (or oil), granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine.
  5. Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries until evenly distributed.
  6. Divide the batter evenly among your prepared mini loaf pans or muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes for mini loaves, or 20-22 minutes for muffins, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

💡 Chef's Tips

  • Bananas are Key: The riper your bananas are (think brown spots!), the sweeter and more flavorful your loaves will be.
  • Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to tough loaves. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined for a tender crumb.
  • Storage: These mini loaves stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.