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.
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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
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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. 
This cake looks great and I will definitely try those cupcakes, they sound awesome x
I’m right there with you husband – I adore blueberries! This cake looks absolutely delicious :).
I’ve bought a whole bunch of reduced price ingredients at TJ Maxx and Marshalls – I always scope out their food section!
*your husband, not you husband 😉
In the ingredients you have listed yogurt but in the instructions you have buttermilk…can you just clarify which it is? I am going to the store and want to buy what I need to make this today!
Gia – Sorry for the confusion – I have updated the recipe instructions. I used yogurt instead of buttermilk like the original recipe states. Either one would work just fine.
This cake looks amazing. Great photos.
the only reason why i like blueberries is cos they are good for eyesight! haha. your cake looks delectable (:
We blueberries,t oo. Actually we love all berries and they pair well with both almond and lemon.
Btw, No way would we thing of leaving off that yummy glaze.
Thanks for sharing!
~ingrid
How far in advance can i make this ? Will it hold 2-3 days?