Harvest Harmony Apple Banana Carrot Loaf
This delightful Harvest Harmony Apple Banana Carrot Loaf is a wholesome treat perfect for using up those overripe bananas lying around the kitchen. With an abundance of flavor and nutrients from the combination of fresh apples, ripe bananas, and sweet carrots, this loaf is bound to become a family favorite. Versatile and adaptable, it allows you to experiment with varying quantities of ingredients, ensuring that you can tweak it to your liking. Whether you choose to double the sugar for a sweeter bite or add extra nuts for a delightful crunch, every variation yields delicious results. Packaged as muffins or mini-loafs, this recipe keeps well for up to three days—if they last that long! Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert, it's an easy and satisfying way to enjoy the goodness of fruit and veggies in every bite.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Apple
1 (grated)
Bananas
2 (mashed)
Carrots
3 (grated)
Rolled oats
2 cups (as is)
All-purpose flour
4 cups (as is)
Brown sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
White sugar
1/2 cup (as is)
Baking powder
1 teaspoon (as is)
Baking soda
2 teaspoons (as is)
Salt
1 teaspoon (as is)
Ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (as is)
Ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (as is)
Ground flax seeds
1/2 cup (optional)
Yogurt
8 ounces (or cream cheese as a substitute)
Coconut oil
1 cup (or mild cooking oil)
Eggs
2 (as is)
Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons (as is)
Walnuts
1 cup (chopped)
Raisins
1 cup (or chopped dates as an alternative)
Shredded coconut
1 cup (optional)
Maple syrup
1/2 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour 8 mini-loaf pans (3-1/2 x 6) or prepare muffin tins with paper liners.
2
Prepare your fruits and vegetables: Peel and core the apple, then either grate it by hand or use a food processor. Grate the carrots and mash the bananas, then set all aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients—rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground flax seeds (if using). Whisk together until well combined.
4
In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients: yogurt (or cream cheese), coconut oil (or other cooking oil), eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth.
5
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined; the batter will be thick.
6
Gently fold in the grated apple, mashed bananas, grated carrots, chopped walnuts, raisins (or dates), and shredded coconut (if using) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7
Spoon the batter into the muffin cups or mini-loaf pans, filling them almost to the top since the batter does not rise significantly during baking.
8
Bake in the preheated oven: muffins for about 25 minutes, or mini-loafs for about 40 minutes. Baking times may vary, so test for doneness by inserting a clean butter knife into the center of a muffin or loaf; it should come out clean.
9
Once baked, allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
17.5g
Carbs
2.1
Protein
2.2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Harvest Harmony Apple Banana Carrot Loaf?
It is a wholesome treat made with fresh apples, ripe bananas, and sweet carrots, perfect for using up overripe bananas.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How should I prepare the baking pans?
Grease and flour 8 mini-loaf pans sized 3-1/2 x 6, or prepare muffin tins with paper liners.
How do I prepare the apple for this recipe?
Peel and core the apple, then grate it by hand or use a food processor.
What are the dry ingredients in this loaf?
The dry ingredients include rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and optional ground flax seeds.
What wet ingredients are required?
The wet ingredients are yogurt or cream cheese, coconut oil or cooking oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Can I substitute the yogurt in the recipe?
Yes, you can use cream cheese as a substitute for yogurt.
What type of oil should be used?
You can use coconut oil or any other mild cooking oil.
How should the batter be mixed?
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined.
What is the consistency of the batter?
The batter for this recipe will be thick.
When do I add the fruits and carrots?
Gently fold in the grated apple, mashed bananas, and grated carrots after the wet and dry ingredients are combined.
How much should I fill the muffin cups or pans?
Fill them almost to the top because the batter does not rise significantly during baking.
How long do muffins take to bake?
Muffins take about 25 minutes to bake.
How long do mini-loafs take to bake?
Mini-loafs take about 40 minutes to bake.
How do I test if the loaf is done?
Insert a clean butter knife into the center; it should come out clean when the loaf is finished.
How should I cool the baked loaves?
Cool them in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Can I adjust the ingredient quantities?
Yes, the recipe is versatile and allows for experimentation with varying quantities to suit your taste.
How can I make the loaf sweeter?
You can double the amount of sugar for a sweeter flavor.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe requires 3 grated carrots.
How many bananas are used?
The recipe uses 2 mashed bananas.
What are the dimensions for the mini-loaf pans?
The recommended size is 3-1/2 x 6.
Can I use dates instead of raisins?
Yes, chopped dates can be used as an alternative to raisins.
Are flax seeds mandatory?
No, ground flax seeds are an optional ingredient.
Is the shredded coconut optional?
Yes, shredded coconut is an optional addition.
Can I add maple syrup?
Yes, 1/2 cup of maple syrup is an optional ingredient listed.
How much flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of all-purpose flour.
How much sugar is included?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of white sugar.
How long does the loaf stay fresh?
It keeps well for up to three days.
What spices give the loaf its flavor?
The flavor comes from ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
When is the best time to eat this loaf?
It is ideal for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert.