Cranberry Raisin Almond Banana Bread
Here’s another banana bread recipe. Like the one I posted the other day, this banana bread kicks things up a notch with some great mix-ins. I hadn’t planned on using raisins and crans, but I didn’t have enough crans for the recipe, so I went with a combination of the two. It added great color and flavor to use both.
I really enjoyed the almond and banana combination. By using almond extract, there was a great almond scent to the bread, and of course the chopped almonds helped to enhance the almond flavor while also adding texture to the bread.
This bread came out pretty dense, I think due to all the add ins and the fact that I used white whole wheat flour in the bread. This bread made a great breakfast for me and Hubby for quite a few days. And, of course, it also freezes really well.
I always toast nuts that I use in any recipe. Toasting them really brings out their nutty flavor. I usually toast them in a skillet on medium heat for just a few minutes until they become fragrant.
Two Years Ago: Spicey Orange Shrimp
Three Years Ago: Shrimp Scampi with Mushrooms and Asparagus and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Cranberry Raisin Almond Banana Bread
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup mashed banana (2 medium bananas)
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups white whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup almonds, toasted and chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
Directions:
Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 -inch loaf pan.
Mix sugar and butter together in a medium mixing bowl until completely blended.
Add banana, milk, eggs, and almond extract, mixing well.
Add dry ingredients, mixing just until moist.
Stir in almonds, dried cranberries, and raisins. Spread batter evenly in a loaf pan.
Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool.
Recipe adapted from Ocean Spray, as seen on Sweet and Savory Tooth
Don’t forget about Bloggers Bake for Hope – Bloggers Bake. You Bid. 100% of proceeds go to Komen for a Cure. Register to bake by April 30th, come back for bidding May 4-6.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Isn’t it the BEST feeling when your husband says they love something?? Especially when you make things all the time.
I am a huge fan of blueberry muffins but adding peach might be a new twist on an old favorite. Looks great!
Ooh, blueberry peach in a muffin? YUM!
OOOh, that sounds great! I always make blueberry muffins-we all love them and recently made my first (!) peach pie! I can just imagine how good that must be!
~Nancy
This isn’t a combination I would think of! Looks yummy!
Blueberry and Peach? How Cool!? I love to find different combinations that are not the every day norm! Thanks for sharing this one!!
Wow that looks delish! I actually have some peach jam I need to finish up myself. Is it really tender enough without any butter or oil?
Yes Xiaolu – They’re very tender and moist
Yum! Peach and blueberry are great together! I bet my husband would like these too.
You are SO great with flavor combinations!! I LOVE this idea!! I’m glad you liked the recipe, but I’m sure the AMAZZING part of them came from your awesome personal twist! YUM!
What great end-of-the-summer flavors!
These muffins are perfect for summer. They sound delicious:)
Those look great 🙂 Now I want blueberry muffins… LOL