Deliciously moist, this vegan carrot cake banana bread with cream cheese frosting is a simple recipe, ready in less than 30 minutes. Ripe bananas lend their natural sweetness while grated carrots add a vibrant touch.
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Made with simple ingredients, this vegan treat is a guilt-free, plant-based treat that will satisfy your cravings.
Optionally topped with vegan cream cheese, yoghurt, maple syrup, and cinnamon, this carrot cake banana bread is a true treat for vegans and non-vegans alike. So, enjoy a slice of this moist bread loaf, perfect for breakfast, snack time, or any moment you desire. crunchy pecans
💭Expert Tips
- Go for super ripe bananas – The softer and spottier, the sweeter and moister your bread will be.
- Mix gently – Stir just until everything comes together so the bread stays soft, not dense.
- Check if it’s done – Stick a toothpick in the middle; if it comes out mostly clean, it’s ready!
💗 Why This Recipe Works
You'll love this vegan banana bread and want to make it again! It's 100% plant-based, soft, and easy to bake. Perfect for anyone looking for a simple, delicious treat without the hassle.
🥧 Ingredients to Make Vegan Banana Bread
🍌 Bananas – 4 large, very ripe (brown spots = sweeter bread). No ripe ones? Bake at 300°F for 15 mins to soften.
🥕 Carrots – Grate finely (squeeze out excess water in a towel to prevent soggy bread).
🌿 Self-raising flour – No store-bought? Mix 2 ¼ cups plain flour + 3 teaspoon baking powder + ½ teaspoon salt.
🌰 Pecans – Toast briefly (350°F for 5 mins) for extra crunch before chopping.
💧 Oil – Melt coconut oil or use light olive oil for neutral taste.
*See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
♻️ Substitutions
- Banana: Substitute with unsweetened applesauce, mashed pumpkin, or mashed sweet potato, around 500 grams or 2 cups.
- Maple Syrup: Replace with agave nectar, date syrup, or coconut nectar.
- Coconut Oil: Swap with vegetable oil, melted vegan butter, or applesauce.
- Self-Raising Flour: Make your own by adding baking powder and salt to all-purpose flour. For 1 cup of self-raising flour, add 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
- Carrots: Grated zucchini or sweet potato can be a great substitute for carrots.
- Cinnamon: Nutmeg or allspice can be used as an alternative or a combination of both.
- Pecans: Substitute with walnuts, almonds, or chopped macadamia nuts, depending on your preference or any nut allergies.
📋 Variations
- Spiced vegan banana bread: Enriched with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Add about 1 teaspoon of each to the batter.
- Citrus Infusion: Add the zest of an orange or lemon to the batter for citrus kick.
👩🍳 How To Make Vegan Banana Bread
The beauty of this recipe is that it can be enjoyed any time you crave the flavours of carrot cake and banana bread combined. So, feel free to savour it whenever it brings you joy!
Step 1: Add wet ingredients to a bowl and mix until smooth.
Step 2: Incorporate dry ingredients into the batter.
Step 3: Transfer the batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper.
Step 4: Bake in a preheated oven at 356°F (180°C) for 50-60 minutes.
Step 5: Make the cheese topping and spread it out on the banana bread, then sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
Step 6: Cut the cake into slices and enjoy with coffee or tea.
A full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
❓FAQs
Certainly, omit the nuts or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Yes, you can use agave nectar, date syrup, or any liquid sweetener of your choice.
Yes, you can turn this recipe into muffins. Adjust the baking time to around 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Vegan Banana Bread
Equipment
- Grater
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 4 large very ripe bananas mashed
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 2 ¼ cups self-raising flour or 2 ¼ cups plain flour mixed with 3 teaspoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large carrots grated
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Optional Topping:
- 3 tablespoon vegan cream cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese
- 2 tablespoon vegan vanilla yogurt or plain or 2 tablespoon crème fraîche
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil or olive oil.4 large very ripe bananas, ⅓ cup maple syrup, ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- Fold in the grated carrots, cinnamon, and chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.2 large carrots, 2 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ cup chopped pecans
- Add the self-raising flour (or plain flour mixed with baking powder and salt) to the bowl and stir until well combined.2 ¼ cups self-raising flour
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the optional topping, in a small bowl, combine the vegan cream cheese (or Philadelphia cream cheese), vegan vanilla yogurt (or plain yogurt or crème fraîche), maple syrup, and cinnamon. Mix until smooth and well combined.3 tablespoon vegan cream cheese or Philadelphia cream cheese, 2 tablespoon vegan vanilla yogurt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Once the carrot cake banana bread has cooled, drizzle the topping over the loaf or spread it evenly on top. Drop some extra chopped pecans.
- Slice and serve the carrot cake banana bread, and enjoy!
- Note: This recipe can be made vegan by using vegan cream cheese, vegan yogurt, and maple syrup. Alternatively, you can use regular cream cheese, yogurt and honey if you prefer non-vegan options.
Padma says
This is two of my favourite cakes together in one! What a treat!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Oh I love this cake!! It's so sweet and fluffy. I really enjoy it with my morning coffee. It feels like such a treat!
Alexandra says
This delicious bread recipe came out perfectly - and it came at the ideal time, as I had some overripe bananas that needed to be use. I loved the vegan cream cheese topping - yum!
Nora says
Yum! This carrot cake banana bread turned out perfectly! Moist and flavorful! So good! Thank you!
Andréa says
Who can resist a piece of carrot cake. This carrot cake looks so delicious, I certainly wouldn't. Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
DK says
This recipe is so good! I don't usually like banana bread or carrot cake, but this one is hard to resist! Especially love the touch of maple syrup - adds a warm sweet essence to the bread!
Razvan says
Great and easy to make! Thank you for sharing this with us! 🙏🏻