Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
250g
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
135g
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
softened to room temperature, 56g
- 2 large eggs
at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups mashed bananas
345g
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
80g
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
50g
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
sifted, 60g
- 1 Tablespoon heavy cream or milk
15ml
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much, too soon. Grease a metal 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- 2
Make the banana bread batter: Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- 3
Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running on medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then beat in the mashed bananas, yogurt, and vanilla extract until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no flour pockets remain. Do not over-mix. You’ll have around 3 and 1/2 cups of batter.
- 4
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl: Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Spoon half of the banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Pour and spread remaining batter on top. The top layer of batter will want to stick to the cinnamon-sugar filling, making spreading a little tougher to do, but use a spoon to carefully spread it out as best you can. Using a knife, swirl the batter down the center of the loaf pan. Avoid over-swirling, which will mix the layers together too much.
- 5
Bake for 55–65 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. All ovens vary, so begin checking every 5 minutes around the 55-minute mark.
- 6
Remove bread from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan set on a wire rack for 1 hour. Remove bread from the pan and cool bread directly on the wire rack until cooled completely.
- 7
Whisk the icing ingredients together. (I usually use heavy cream, which promises a thick icing.) Drizzle over bread before slicing.
- 8
Cover and store banana bread at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Icing seeps into the top of the banana bread over time, so expect the tops of the slices to become a little moist.
Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 63 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving that comforting aroma and irresistible taste of homemade banana bread, but with an exciting twist? This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread recipe elevates a classic, bringing bakery-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
What truly sets this banana bread apart is the luscious cinnamon swirl running through the center, adding ribbons of spiced sweetness to every slice. Plus, the inclusion of plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream) ensures an incredibly moist crumb, perfectly balancing the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the warm spice of cinnamon. You'll find the texture tender and the flavor wonderfully complex.
What to Expect
Prepare for a treat that will fill your home with a comforting, sweet, and spicy scent as it bakes. You'll bite into a rich, tender banana bread with a distinct, aromatic ribbon of cinnamon sugar winding through the middle. The sweet glaze drizzled over the top adds a touch more elegance and a lovely finish, making each slice feel like a special indulgence. This isn't just plain banana bread; it's an experience.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to personalize your loaf. For a deeper, more caramel-like flavor, you can swap the granulated sugar for packed brown sugar in the main batter. If Greek yogurt isn't on hand, sour cream works just as beautifully to achieve that moist, tender texture. Always opt for very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots; they're the secret to intense banana flavor.
Serving & Context
This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is perfect for a cozy breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of coffee or tea, or as a delightful contribution to brunch. It's a comforting bake that’s sure to impress.