Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Name: Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 5 very ripe large bananas; 2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 2 large eggs, beaten; ½ cup granulated sugar; 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

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This easy Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a homemade, tender loaf of sweetened, moist banana bread with a ribbon of cinnamon sugar in the middle!

AN AMPED UP BANANA BREAD RECIPE

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread takes classic banana bread to the next level with a rich, cinnamon-sugar ribbon running through every slice and a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. The moist, tender banana bread combines perfectly with the warm cinnamon. I love that you can make two loaves of this bread in under an hour – make one for now and freeze one for later (or give to a friend!)

A few slices of Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What do I do if my bread is browning but still needs more time to bake?

If you find that your bread loaf is starting to brown or burn on the top and you know the inside needs more time, you need to tent the top of the bread with aluminum foil. This protects the top of the loaf while letting the rest of the loaf have time to finish baking. It’s also a good idea to make sure your rack is in the middle part of the oven, not the top part. The top part of any oven is always going to be the hottest.

How do I know when my Cinnamon Banana Bread is finished baking?

You can insert a toothpick into the bread loaf and if it still has some moist crumbs (but not wet), it should be finished baking. Remember it will continue to bake a bite in the pan as it cools down.

What else can I add to this bread?

This bread would be even more incredible with a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze or a cream cheese frosting. It would also be lovely with some chocolate chips or chopped pecans tossed into the batter.

How do I store leftovers?

Leftover Cinnamon Banana Bread can be stored at room temp in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread?

You sure can! Plus, this recipes makes 2 loaves. I like to enjoy one now and freeze one for later (for up to 3 months.)

A few slices of Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread in front of the rest of the loaf.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

all-purpose flour – you do not need to sift the flour first. Make sure you are not over measuring the flour by dipping the measuring cup into the flour bag. You will end up with too much flour which will make a dry bread. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup (do not pack it down.) Then take the flat end of a butter knife and sweep off any excess.
granulated sugar – you can use a sugar substitute if you prefer. It’s best to use a 1:1 like Splenda for baking.
ground cinnamon– this is used in the bread and in the topping, just like the granulated sugar.
baking soda
salt
large bananas – you want brown spots on your bananas. If they are just plain yellow or even green, they aren’t rip enough yet and aren’t as sweet as we need them for this recipe.
unsalted butter– if you only have salted butter, you can use that, just leave out the additional salt in this recipe.
vanilla extract
large eggs – if you have time, allow the eggs to come to room temperature, this allows them to blend into the batter easier.

Bananas, flour, butter, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, baking soda, and salt.

HOW TO MAKE CINNAMON SWIRL BANANA BREAD

Line (2) 9×5-inch loaf pans with parchment paper and preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and sea salt and set aside. In a large bowl mash the bananas and stir in melted butter and vanilla.

A bowl with dry ingredients for bread and a bowl with mashed bananas, and vanilla.

Add in 2 eggs and mix well. Pour dry ingredients in with the banana mixture and blend until fully incorporated and set aside.

A mashed banana mixture and eggs in a bowl and the dry ingredients being added to the wet in a bowl.

Mix cinnamon and sugar into a small bowl for later. Place ½ to 1/3 batter into each prepared 9×5-inch pan and then sprinkle 3 ½ Tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar on top of each loaf. Evenly divide the remaining batter and spread over the sugar, then top with the cinnamon sugar that remains (divided evenly among both loaves).