You know those sad, spotty bananas sitting on your counter? I turn mine into this cosy maple syrup banana bread with walnuts & cranberries at least twice a month.
The maple syrup gives it a warm flavour that makes the whole house smell amazing. I love finishing these doughnuts with a simple drizzle of 3-ingredient vegan caramel sauce.
🍞 Serves 10 | 🥄 One-Bowl Recipe | ❄️ Freezer-Friendly | ⏱ 10-Min Prep
What do I love most? You just mash everything in one bow and in one hour, you've got this gorgeous golden loaf. The walnuts add this satisfying crunch, while the cranberries give little bursts of tartness.
Jump to:
- 💗 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🥘 Ingredients
- ♻️ Substitutions
- 📋 Fun Variations
- 👩🍳How To Make Maple Banana Cranberry Loaf
- 💭 Expert Tip
- 🥗 Serving Suggestions
- 💡 Have a specific food allergy?
- ❓Maple Syrup Banana Bread with Walnuts & Cranberries FAQs
- If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Krystle Smith says:
"I love banana breads, and this recipe is exceptional. The maple syrup added a cozy and rich touch to the banana bread."
If you're as banana-obsessed as I am, you've got to try these two favourites of mine next! My banana carrot bread is what I make when I want that perfect blend of sweet bananas and warm spices - it's become my go-to for potlucks.
And when I'm craving chocolate but feeling lazy, the 5-ingredient vegan chocolate banana cake saves me every time - so simple, but so satisfying. Trust me, your overripe bananas will never go to waste again!
💗 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Kid-approved snack or breakfast
- You only need one bowl
- It's freezer-friendly
- Great way to use up ripe bananas
- Naturally sweetened with maple syrup
Love simple, foolproof bakes? My easy no-knead bread follows the same philosophy - minimal ingredients, maximum results.
🥘 Ingredients
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️ Substitutions
- Butter → Coconut oil or applesauce (for less fat)
- Eggs → ½ cup yoghurt or 2 flax eggs
- Flour → Whole wheat or gluten-free 1:1 blend
- Maple syrup → Honey or agave
- Love Cinnamon Rolls? If you enjoy sweet, spiced bakes, try my Biscoff cinnamon rolls - they're filled with cookie butter and absolutely irresistible.
📋 Fun Variations
- Chocolate Chip: Swap cranberries for dark chocolate chunks.
- Nut-Free: Use sunflower seeds instead of walnuts.
- Double Maple: Drizzle baked bread with extra syrup.
- Love Filled Breads? My pistachio babka buns are another showstopper - soft, swirled, and packed with nutty pistachio filling.
👩🍳How To Make Maple Banana Cranberry Loaf
While you're here for banana bread, you might also like this easy lemony pound cake-super simple and great with tea.
Step 1: Mix melted butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon into mashed bananas. Add eggs and stir gently.
Step 2: Add the flour and baking powder. Gently fold the mixture until there are no white streaks-don't overmix!
Step 3: Stir in the cranberries, walnuts, and raisins (save a few to sprinkle on top if you'd like).
Step 4: Pour batter into the pan, top with sliced banana, and bake for 50-55 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
*See the recipe card for detailed instructions.
💭 Expert Tip
For the best texture, use bananas with lots of brown spots-they're sweeter and mash more easily! If you enjoy shaping dough into fun forms, my Easter brioche bunnies are another playful baking project that's easier than it looks.
🥗 Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast: Toasted with a smear of peanut butter.
- Dessert: Warm with vanilla ice cream.
- On-the-Go: Wrap slices for lunchboxes.
💡 Have a specific food allergy?
Click the buttons below to ask AI how to alter it for your diet!
❓Maple Syrup Banana Bread with Walnuts & Cranberries FAQs
Overmixing the batter! For your maple syrup banana bread with walnuts & cranberries, gently fold the flour into the wet ingredients just until combined. Overworking activates gluten, turning your tender loaf into rubber.
Thaw 2 frozen bananas, drain excess liquid, and proceed with the recipe. The ½ fresh banana topping still works perfectly.
For every 1 cup of white sugar:
→ Use ⅔ to ¾ cup pure maple syrup
→ And reduce other liquids by 3-4 Tbsp
Why this works for banana bread:
Maple syrup is about ⅔ as sweet as sugar
It adds extra moisture (so we cut other liquids)
Gives that warm caramel flavour you love
Special tip for this recipe: Since we already use maple syrup with sugar, going full maple syrup would make it too wet. Stick with the combo for perfect texture!
Bonus: Grade B syrup gives a stronger maple flavour than Grade A*
If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Will Love These Too
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📖 Recipe
Maple Walnut Banana Bread
Video
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe bananas plus ½ banana for topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup mix-ins: raisins dried cranberries, chopped walnuts or whole pecans
Instructions
- Prep the Pan: Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Mash the Bananas: In a big bowl, mash the 2 ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth (tiny lumps are fine!).
- Mix Wet Ingredient: Add melted butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir well. Crack in the eggs and mix until just combined. You can use a mixer if you want.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Dump in the flour and baking powder. Gently fold just until no white streaks remain. Overmixing = tough bread!
- Fold in Extras: Stir in cranberries, walnuts, or raisins. Save a few for the top if you want it pretty.
- Bake!: Pour batter into the pan. Slice the remaining ½ banana and place it on top. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool (If You Can Wait!): Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Slicing too soon = crumbly mess!
Notes
- For taller bread, use a smaller pan (8x4-inch).
- Let cool completely before slicing for neat cuts.
Swathi says
Maple walnut banana bread is delicious I am going to make it again, perfect balance of sweetness.
Ellen says
This came out so cozy and flavorful, especially with the maple syrup, walnuts, and cranberries. I loved how it turned overripe bananas into something that actually feels special.