Carrot Banana Cake

This carrot banana cake is a wonderful combination of two classic baked goods. It has the moist, tender crumb of banana bread and the sweet, spiced flavor of carrot cake. It’s a simple loaf cake that comes together quickly with basic pantry ingredients.

You only need about 15 minutes to mix the batter before it goes into the oven. This recipe is a great way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. The result is a delicious cake for dessert or an afternoon snack.

Why will you love Carrot Banana Cake?

Using very ripe bananas provides natural sweetness and moisture, which is key to a tender cake.

Mixing the wet and dry ingredients separately before combining prevents overdeveloping the gluten, keeping the cake from becoming tough.

Letting the cake cool completely allows the structure to set, making it less crumbly and much easier to slice neatly.

Carrot Banana Cake Ingredients

• Bananas: The riper, the better. Bananas covered in brown or black spots are ideal as they are sweeter and easier to mash.

• Oil: A neutral oil like canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil works best. It provides moisture without adding a strong flavor.

• Carrots: For the best texture, grate the carrots finely. A food processor with a grating attachment can save time.

• Maple Syrup: Honey or agave can be used as a substitute in the same amount. Each will add a slightly different flavor profile.

• Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a pleasant crunch. You can toast them lightly before adding for a deeper flavor.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Carrot Banana Cake

Step 1: Prepare Pan and Dry Ingredients

First, get your oven preheating to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Whisking them together ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 2: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a second bowl, start by mashing the ripe bananas well. Then, stir in the finely grated carrots, maple syrup, oil, milk, and vanilla. Mix until everything is just combined.

Step 3: Mix Batter and Bake

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Gently fold them together with a spatula until you no longer see any flour. If you’re adding nuts, fold them in now. Pour the finished batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake until a skewer comes out clean.

Step 4: Cool the Cake

Once baked, let the cake rest in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it firm up slightly. Then, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

What to Serve with Carrot Banana Cake

This cake is delicious on its own with a cup of coffee or tea. For a richer dessert, you can spread a thin layer of cream cheese frosting on top once it’s completely cool.

Helpful Tricks for Carrot Banana Cake

For the best flavor and sweetness, use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots.

The cake has a better texture and is easier to slice after it has cooled completely, which can take several hours.

Grate carrots using the fine holes on a box grater so they melt into the cake’s texture.

Once cool, you can top the cake with a simple cream cheese frosting or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

How to Store and Freeze Carrot Banana Cake

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the whole loaf or individual slices, wrapped tightly, for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Carrot Banana Cake Recipe FAQs

Can I make this into muffins?

Yes, you can. Divide the batter into a lined 12-cup muffin tin and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Can I use less sweetener?

The maple syrup provides both sweetness and moisture. You could reduce it slightly, perhaps to 1/3 cup, but the cake may be less moist. The ripe bananas also add a lot of natural sweetness.

Why is my cake dense or gummy?

This is usually caused by overmixing the batter. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir only until they are just incorporated. A few small lumps in the batter are fine.

Carrot Banana Cake

A moist and tender loaf cake packed with sweet bananas and grated carrots, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 240g
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas about 3-4
• 1 cup finely grated carrots 110g
• 1/2 cup maple syrup 120ml
• 1/2 cup neutral oil like canola or vegetable, 120ml
• 1/4 cup milk 60ml
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) 60g

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper leaving an overhang on the sides.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• In a separate medium bowl, combine the mashed bananas, grated carrots, maple syrup, oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until just mixed.
• Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to fold everything together until no dry flour streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
• If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts.
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with your spatula.
• Bake for 45-55 minutes. The cake is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift it out and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For the best flavor and sweetness, use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots.

The cake has a better texture and is easier to slice after it has cooled completely, which can take several hours.

Grate carrots using the fine holes on a box grater so they melt into the cake's texture.

Once cool, you can top the cake with a simple cream cheese frosting or a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Keyword banana bread, carrot banana cake, carrot cake, loaf cake, quick bread