Description
This Easy Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread with a delightful cinnamon-sugar swirl throughout. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, it combines ripe bananas with a cinnamon and nutmeg mixture for a delicious twist on classic banana bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled)
- 3/4 cup Brown sugar (packed light or dark)
- 1/4 cup Sour cream (room temperature)
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 2 Large eggs (room temperature)
- 3 Ripe bananas (mashed)
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Swirl
- 3 TBSP Unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 TBSP White granulated sugar
- 3 TBSP Brown sugar (packed light or dark)
- 1 TBSP Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray, then line the bottom and two sides with parchment paper. Spray the parchment again to prevent sticking.
- Melt Butter and Mash Bananas: Melt the 1/2 cup butter in the microwave and let it cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly using a fork or potato masher on a plate for easier handling.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat well until smooth. Add the mashed bananas and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to the wet mixture. Fold gently until just combined—do not overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Prepare Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a small bowl, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter. Add white sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Stir until the mixture is combined and spreadable, ensuring it is not too thin.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Swirl: Pour one third of the banana bread batter into your prepared pan. Using a teaspoon, dollop one third of the cinnamon mixture over the batter. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture through the batter. Repeat this layering and swirling process two more times, ending with the remaining batter and cinnamon mixture on top.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then lift it out using the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure the melted butter used in both the batter and swirl is not too hot to avoid cooking the eggs prematurely.
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the bread light and tender.
- Swirling the cinnamon mix gently ensures a beautiful marbled effect without blending it fully into the batter.
- Allow the banana bread to cool completely for easier slicing and better texture.
