Cherry Banana Bread

Banana bread is one of those timeless bakes that never goes out of style. It’s moist, comforting, and perfect for using up overripe bananas. This Cherry Banana Bread takes the traditional recipe up a notch with the addition of tart dried cherries, creating a sweet and tangy loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or gifting.

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Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Ultra-moist texture from ripe bananas and butter
• Sweet and tangy flavor combo with cherries and banana
• Easy, one-bowl batter for minimal cleanup
• Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet afternoon snack
• Freezes beautifully so you can always have a slice on hand

Ingredients & Success Tips

Banana Bread Batter

• All-purpose flour – gives structure to the loaf
• Baking soda – helps the bread rise properly
• Salt – balances the sweetness
• Brown sugar – adds moisture and caramel-like sweetness
• Unsalted butter, room temperature – rich flavor and tender crumb
• Eggs – provide structure and bind the batter
• Mashed ripe bananas – the star ingredient for flavor and moisture
• Vanilla extract – adds warmth and depth
• Dried cherries – tartness that balances the sweetness

Success Tips:

• Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness
• Cream butter and sugar well for a light texture
• Don’t overmix once you add the flour to avoid a dense loaf
• Toss cherries lightly in flour before mixing to prevent them from sinking

All About Ingredients & Substitutions

• Brown sugar → White sugar works, but brown sugar keeps the bread moister
• Butter → Swap with coconut oil or vegetable oil for a dairy-free version
• Eggs → Use flax eggs for a vegan substitute
• Dried cherries → Dried cranberries, raisins, or chocolate chips make excellent alternatives
• Flour → A 1:1 gluten-free baking blend can be used if needed

Do you love cherry desserts?

Try my White Chocolate Cherry Cookies, perfectly tart and sweet.

Variations to Add

• Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – fold in ½ cup chocolate chips with the cherries
• Nutty Banana Bread – add ½ cup walnuts or pecans for crunch
• Coconut Banana Bread – stir in shredded coconut for extra sweetness
• Glazed Banana Bread – drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the cooled loaf

Storage Tips

• Room Temperature: Wrap tightly and store up to 3 days
• Refrigerator: Keeps well for up to 1 week when covered
• Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly

FAQ

Can I use fresh cherries instead of dried?

Fresh cherries release too much moisture; dried cherries work best

Do I need to soften the butter?

Yes, room temperature butter mixes more evenly and creates a lighter loaf

Can I make this into muffins?

Absolutely, divide into muffin tins and bake for 18–22 minutes

Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?

It may not have baked long enough, always test with a toothpick in the center

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles well and freezes beautifully

Elizabeth

Cherry Banana Bread

This Cherry Banana Bread is moist, tender, and packed with flavor. Sweet ripe bananas and tart dried cherries make each bite perfectly balanced, while the soft crumb and lightly sweetened bread make it ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Cooling Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 10

Course: Breakfast

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter room temperature
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 3 large ripe bananas mashed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup dried cherries

Equipment

• 1 9×5 loaf pan
• 1 set Measuring Cups and Spoons
• 1 Spatula
• 1 mixing bowl

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix dry ingredients
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
4. Cream butter and sugar
5. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
6. Add eggs, bananas, and vanilla
7. Beat in the eggs, mashed bananas, and vanilla until well combined.
8. Combine wet and dry ingredients
9. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
10. Fold in cherries
11. Gently fold in the dried cherries with a spatula.
12. Bake
13. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
14. Cool
15. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.