EASY! How to Make Paleo Cranberry-Banana Bread (Super Moist and Sinfully Delicious)

I kept looking at those bananas.  For three days, I watched them grow more ripe, then darker, then they were verging on compost time. Ugh! I hate wasting food! I also am admittedly not a great baker. I mean, I can DO it, but I'm not a sweets eater, and since it's only my husband and me, well, why use precious time to bake something that only he eats part of? But those bananas: They kept staring at me! 

Since we have cut out breads and grains, I figured I'd go for a Paleo option, and decided to make some banana bread! I found this amazing recipe in a book I just love, Against All Grain, by Danielle Walker. I've adjusted it a little, and I'll explain how---but suffice to say...It turned out A-Mazing! I even ate quite a bit (too much...UM, most) of it myself! :-) 

You know what I like about this sweet bread recipe the most? There's hardly any sugar! Just a couple tablespoons (TABLESPOONS...NOT CUPS) of honey! The addition of cranberries give this dessert bread a sweet tartness too. Isn't that awesome!? 

FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you! :-) 
Here is a recipe for the most amazing Paleo Banana Bread I've ever made! Gulp! I hate to admit this, but my husband and I ate the whole thing in a day! Try this Grain-Free low sugar Paleo style banana bread recipe! You'll LOVE it! :-) 

Here is a recipe for the most amazing Paleo Banana Bread I've ever made! Gulp! I hate to admit this, but my husband and I ate the whole thing in a day! Try this Grain-Free low sugar Paleo style banana bread recipe! You'll LOVE it! :-) 

Here's my version of this delicious Paleo Banana Bread!

Ingredients for Paleo Cranberry-Banana Bread

  • 2 Tablespoons of Melted Coconut Oil
  • 4 Large Eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons of Honey (Danielle uses 3 Tbsp, but I always cut back on the stated sugar)
  • 1 Tablespoon of pure Vanilla Extract (find out how to make it here!)  Danielle uses only 1 teaspoon, but I LOVE Vanilla, so I used a whole Tbsp.
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 3/4 Cup Coconut Flour (Danielle uses 1/2 cup Coconut Flour and 1/4 cup Almond Flour---but I didn't have any Almond Flour, so mine is all Coconut Flour) Note: You can also find Coconut and Almond flour plus other great items at Thrive Market!
  • 1 Teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 Teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 3 Ripe Bananas, smushed up
  • Optionals: In her recipe, Danielle gives quite a list, but I chose to add Dried Cranberries and Hemp Seed across the top of the loaf.

Directions for Paleo Cranberry-Banana Bread

OK--I am a lazy baker.  I just am.  I do not measure things--I just eyeball. And in the actual recipe, there are LOTS of steps to combine this and that. Friends, I am simple. I'm a dump and run girl.  So, if you want all the actual steps, please check out her book, Against All Grain, and the recipe found on page 224.  But here is what I did:

Step 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Step 2) Grease Loaf Pan

**Danielle suggests using parchment paper.  I just greased the sides and bottom. That's all.

Step 3) Mix Everything Together REALLY Well

Here's where I am just a dump and run girl.  I just went down the list of ingredients and mixed where I thought I should, all in the same bowl. I didn't even use a blender or mixer--just a good old fork. 

So, I mixed the coconut oil, eggs, honey, vanilla extract, and ACV together. Then I dumped in the flour, baking soda, salt and mixed everything again. Then I added the coconut milk and mushed up bananas and mixed again. 

I know. This is not very professional of me. But I just can't help it. I'm impatient. 

Step 4) Plop into Loaf Pan

Oh No! I forgot to add the optionals! So, I added them to the top of the loaf, and pressed lightly.

Step 5) Bake about 40 to 45 minutes. 

Mine went 45 minutes, and it probably could have baked another 5 minutes. 

Step 6) Remove from Oven and Cool 

I let my loaf cool in the pan for about 25 minutes.  Then my husband and I started eating it. LOL!  Based on the recipe in the book, you should at some point remove it from the loaf pan to cool completely before eating.  But....it smelled SO good, we couldn't wait! Except for the slices we cut for the photo op, we pretty much sliced out of the pan and ate. Therefore, I can't really tell you how well it will be removed from the pan.  Sorry! 

Step 7) ENJOY!

Here are the still-warm slices. This is why you need to wait til the bread completely cools before cutting into it: It will crack a little in the middle. Like I said, I'm impatient! :-)

Here are the still-warm slices. This is why you need to wait til the bread completely cools before cutting into it: It will crack a little in the middle. Like I said, I'm impatient! :-)

Final Thoughts on Paleo Cranberry-Banana Bread

Guys, this is delicious! What I loved about it (besides the taste) is that it's completely grain free and has hardly any sugar at all! How awesome is that? We will be making this again! In fact, everything I've tried from the book, Against All Grain, has been wonderful---and you see how I cook.  I pretty much mangle recipes, or at the very least follow them very loosely! 

If you give this a try, let me know how it goes! Have you tried going grain free? Or Paleo? I'd love to know your experiences. Did doing this make you feel healthier? I've heard great things about it, and have actually tried the Whole 30 (Paleo on steroids), and I felt great! For another great bread recipe (although not Paleo), check out this EASY Seeded Bread.

Hugs, Health, & Self-Reliance!

Heidi

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