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    Home » Quick Bread

    Modified: May 28, 2025 · Published: Jun 13, 2014 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

    Cranberry Banana Bread

    94 shares
    • 2
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This Cranberry Banana Bread will almost melt in your mouth. It is that good! If you are looking for more easy bread recipes, check out our Instant Pot Banana Bread.

    I love baking, and love it even more when I can do it with my kids. It is an opportunity to teach them a recipe, learn to follow directions, and work on our patience as we wait for our creations to bake. This family friendly recipe offers a twist on traditional banana bread.

    I added cranberries and white chocolate chips, which are two of my favorite cookie ingredients. I used applesauce in place of butter to make this a little healthier. You can do this without missing any flavor or moistness.

    Cranberry Banana Bread - This banana bread is super moist and will melt in your mouth.

    You will need:

    • ½ cup of applesauce (I used unsweetened applesauce)
    • ½ cup of sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 4 mashed bananas
    • 1 ½ cups of flour
    • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon of salt
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup white chocolate chips
    Ingredients for banana bread

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the applesauce and sugar in a medium bowl.

    child pouring sugar in a bowl

    Mix the applesauce and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.

    child making banana bread

    You will need 4 mashed bananas for the Cranberry Banana Bread. The most kid friendly way I have found to mash bananas is to place them in a zip top bag and let your child crush it with their fists.

    child smashing bananas

    This was so fun for my daughter and it gets out any aggression you might be feeling. I may have to try this banana smashing method myself the next time I feel stressed out!

    child mashing bananas

    When the bananas are completely mashed, add them to the applesauce and sugar mixture along with two eggs. Stir until thoroughly combined.

    In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.

    child baking cranberry banana bread

    Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and add the vanilla.

    kid pouring flour in a bowl

    Add the dried cranberries.

    kid pouring cranberries in a bowl

    Add the white chocolate chips.

    adding white chocolate chips to a bowl

    Stir until all the ingredients are combined.

    baking with kids

    This required quite a bit of work on my daughter's part. After a few minutes, she said her arm was tired so I took over.

    Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Check on your banana bread while it is baking. After 40 minutes the top of mine was fairly brown, but the inside was still wet when I poked it with a toothpick. I covered the top with foil for the remainder of the cook time.

    child mixing batter

    Let the Cranberry Banana Bread cool for few minutes, and then remove it from the loaf pan and enjoy. My daughter had two helpings at snack time. I limited myself to one, but it wasn't easy. This banana bread is so moist and delicious. The cranberries add a nice chewiness and flavor.

    easy banana bread

    This bread would also be great with some chopped nuts, I am thinking walnuts or pecans. If you don't have dried cranberries, try the recipe with raisins.

    kid made banana bread

    FAQs for Cranberry Banana Bread

    Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh or frozen?

    Yes! Dried cranberries work just fine. You can soak them in a little warm water first to soften them if you’d like.

    Can I freeze this banana bread?

    Definitely. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly and freeze. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months.

    How should I store leftovers?

    Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it to make it last a little longer.

    📖 Recipe

    Cranberry Banana Bread

    Vicky
    Cranberry Banana Bread - This banana bread is super moist and will melt in your mouth.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 196 kcal

    Video

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup applesauce I used unsweetened applesauce
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 4 mashed bananas
    • 1 ½ cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ½ cup white chocolate chips

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the applesauce and sugar in a medium bowl.
    • Mix the applesauce and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
    • You will need 4 mashed bananas for the Cranberry Banana Bread. When the bananas are completely mashed, add them to the applesauce and sugar mixture along with two eggs. Stir until thoroughly combined.
    • In a separate, smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
    • Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and add the vanilla.
    • Add the dried cranberries.
    • Add the white chocolate chips.
    • Stir until all the ingredients are combined.
    • Pour into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60 minutes. Check on your banana bread while it is baking. After 40 minutes the top of mine was fairly brown, but the inside was still wet when I poked it with a toothpick. I covered the top with foil for the remainder of the cook time.
    • Let the Cranberry Banana Bread cool for few minutes, and then remove it from the loaf pan and enjoy.

    Notes

    This bread would also be great with some chopped nuts, I am thinking walnuts or pecans. If you don't have dried cranberries, try the recipe with raisins.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 206mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword cranberry banana bread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    For more fun ways to bake with kids, check out:

    Irish Soda Bread

    Soft Pretzels with Butter

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    • savory monkey bread with butter
      Savory Monkey Bread

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. CiSi says

      June 09, 2017 at 9:01 am

      What size loaf pan should I use for this recipe? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        June 12, 2017 at 9:39 am

        It is an 8x4 loaf pan.

        Reply
    2. Amanda Vasquez says

      June 16, 2014 at 5:37 pm

      This sounds yummy! Sad that I gave my packets of dried cranberries to my SIL. Might have to get more now 🙂

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 17, 2014 at 7:57 pm

        I bet raisins would work well too if you have those Amanda!

        Reply
    3. themondaybox.com says

      June 15, 2014 at 3:12 am

      I used to cook and bake with my kids all the time when they were younger. Though the mess was greater and the time to make anything took longer, the results were more than worth it. We had fun together, creating happy memories and now both of my "kids" (now young adults) are very comfortable cooking and baking in their own kitchens! White chocolate and cranberries are some of my favorite cookie ingredients too! What a delicious add-in for banana bread!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 17, 2014 at 7:56 pm

        Thanks so much for stopping by! I bet your kids treasure the times they cooked with you. Sounds like you set up some good habits.

        Reply
    4. Carolannotated says

      June 13, 2014 at 6:52 pm

      Love this recipe! Will make today! Awesome blog love it!
      Stopping by from NEB carolann@sassytownhouseliving.com

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 10:03 pm

        Aw, thanks for the kind words! Hope you like the banana bread!

        Reply
    5. BecHeflin says

      June 13, 2014 at 5:50 pm

      Looks like she had lots of fun baking with you!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 10:00 pm

        Thanks Bec, she loves helping out!

        Reply
    6. Cassie Osborne says

      June 13, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      That looks so good! I love it!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 9:59 pm

        Thanks Cassie! It was yummy!

        Reply
    7. Becca Niederkrom says

      June 13, 2014 at 3:46 pm

      Such cute photos!! I am saving this recipe and will make when my in-laws come into town for the 4th of July, I know they will love having this for breakfast. Cheers!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 9:58 pm

        Hope they enjoy it Becca! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    8. rednest says

      June 13, 2014 at 3:27 pm

      I have made cranberry orange bread a number of times, but never cranberry banana! Have pinned this to my baking board! Maureen from redcottagechronicles.

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 9:57 pm

        Oh, cranberry orange is a great combo too. That is what I need to try next!

        Reply
    9. Melissa Ringstaff says

      June 13, 2014 at 3:14 pm

      I love baking with my girls too. Such good memories are created in the kitchen! This recipe looks delicious!

      Reply
      • Vicky @ Mess For Less says

        June 14, 2014 at 9:56 pm

        Thanks Melissa! Some of my favorite memories with my kids have been in the kitchen.

        Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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