Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a delightful and easy-to-make treat that combines the classic flavors of ripe bananas and warm cinnamon sugar. The soft and moist banana bread features a marbled cinnamon swirl that adds a touch of sweetness and spice to each bite. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this banana bread is sure to become a family favorite.
Equipment
- 9x5-inch loaf pan (1 pan)
- Electric mixer or whisk (1)
- Mixing bowls (2)
- Measuring cups and spoons (1 set)
- Fork or potato masher (1)
- Knife or skewer (1)
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Batter:
- 3 ripe bananas 1 ½ cups mashed
- ½ cup butter 113g, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 150g
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 190g
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar 50g
Instructions
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mash the Bananas
- Peel and mash the ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth with a few lumps. You should have about 1 ½ cups of mashed bananas.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
Add the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing the batter.
Make the Cinnamon Swirl
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Stir until well mixed.
Layer the Batter and Cinnamon Swirl
- Spoon half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture on top. Add the remaining batter and sprinkle with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter gently, creating a marbled effect.
Bake
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.If the top is browning too quickly, loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil.
Cool and Serve
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Banana Ripeness: For the best flavor and texture, use overripe bananas that have plenty of brown spots. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more moist the bread will be.
- Storage: To keep your banana bread fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze individual slices for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave the slices at room temperature for a few hours or warm them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Add-ins: Feel free to add in walnuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor. Simply fold them into the batter before adding it to the pan.
- Cinnamon Variation: Adjust the amount of cinnamon in the swirl if you prefer a stronger or milder cinnamon flavor. You can also try adding a pinch of nutmeg for an additional spice note.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this banana bread gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.