I don’t remember baking much with my mom when I was kid. She was working hard to support our family and if I am being honest, she is just not a baker. She can cook Italian food like nobody’s business though. Baking however has never really been her thing. 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. This Cranberry Banana Bread will almost melt in your mouth. It is that good!
You will need:
- 1/2 cup of applesauce (I used unsweetened applesauce)
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 2 eggs
- 4 mashed bananas
- 1 1/2 cups of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
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. 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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
For more fun ways to bake with kids, check out:
Melissa Ringstaff says
I love baking with my girls too. Such good memories are created in the kitchen! This recipe looks delicious!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Thanks Melissa! Some of my favorite memories with my kids have been in the kitchen.
rednest says
I have made cranberry orange bread a number of times, but never cranberry banana! Have pinned this to my baking board! Maureen from redcottagechronicles.
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Oh, cranberry orange is a great combo too. That is what I need to try next!
Becca Niederkrom says
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!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Hope they enjoy it Becca! Thanks for stopping by!
Cassie Osborne says
That looks so good! I love it!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Thanks Cassie! It was yummy!
BecHeflin says
Looks like she had lots of fun baking with you!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Thanks Bec, she loves helping out!
Carolannotated says
Love this recipe! Will make today! Awesome blog love it!
Stopping by from NEB [email protected]iving.com
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Aw, thanks for the kind words! Hope you like the banana bread!
themondaybox.com says
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!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
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.
Amanda Vasquez says
This sounds yummy! Sad that I gave my packets of dried cranberries to my SIL. Might have to get more now 🙂
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
I bet raisins would work well too if you have those Amanda!
CiSi says
What size loaf pan should I use for this recipe? Thanks.
Vicky says
It is an 8×4 loaf pan.