Fruity Banana Bread Recipe

Name: Fruity Banana Bread
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 ounces (1/2 cup, packed) dried apricots; ⅓ cup orange juice; Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil, for greasing pan; 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter; 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup sugar; Finely grated zest of 1 orange; 2 large eggs; 1 cup (about 3 medium) mashed very ripe bananas; 1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped; 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or granulated white sugar

Servings: persons

4 ounces (1/2 cup, packed) dried apricots
⅓ cup orange juice
Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil, for greasing pan
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
2 large eggs
1 cup (about 3 medium) mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 cup mixed nuts, chopped
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or granulated white sugar

1
Using kitchen shears, cut each apricot in half lengthwise.
2
Holding halves together, cut four or five times crosswise.
3
In a small saucepan, combine apricot pieces and orange juice.
4
Bring to a boil, then remove from heat.
5
Allow to rest until apricots have absorbed most of the liquid, about 1 hour.
6
Heat oven to 325 degrees.
7
Place a baking sheet in oven.
8
Spray or oil a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, and if desired, line with parchment paper.
9
Melt butter in a microwave oven or small saucepan; reserve.
10
In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
11
In a large bowl, blend together reserved butter, 3/4 cup sugar, and orange zest.
12
Mix in eggs one at a time, then mashed bananas, apricots, and nuts.
13
Stir in flour mixture one-third at a time, stirring well after each addition.
14
Scrape dough into pan, and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
15
Bake until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
16
Place pan on a rack to cool.
17
To serve, remove from pan, and slice thinly.
18
Serve at room temperature.

645

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 ounces (1/2 cup, packed) dried apricots, ⅓ cup orange juice, Nonstick cooking spray or vegetable oil, for greasing pan, 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, and more.

Yes, Fruity Banana Bread falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Fruity Banana Bread

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions