Easy Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe: This cinnamon swirl banana bread has a thick ribbon of cinnamon sugar swirled through the center, a moist crumb, and tons of banana flavor in every slice. This fast bread becomes a delicious treat that resembles dessert when topped with a simple vanilla icing.
I adore a good cinnamon sugar swirl, as you well know. (In other words, have you ever tried this homemade cinnamon roll? Add it to your list of things to bake! There’s just something extra special about cutting into a coffee cake or chai cinnamon swirl Bundt cake and finding an unexpected layer of cinnamon-sugar inside, even if I really enjoy a good crumb streusel topping.
Easy Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
Banana Bread
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar (or use packed brown sugar)
- 4 Tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large ripe bananas)
- 1/3 cup (80g) plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Vanilla Icing
- 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) with the oven rack in the bottom third position. You can avoid your bread’s top browning too quickly by lowering the oven rack. Apply nonstick spray to a metal loaf pan measuring 9 by 5 inches. Put aside.
Prepare the batter for the banana bread: In a larger basin, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Put aside.
Beat the butter and sugar on high speed for about two minutes, or until smooth and creamy, using a handheld or stand mixer with a paddle or whisk attachment. One egg at a time, add them to the mixer on medium speed, beating thoroughly after each addition. Next, whisk together the yogurt, vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. Beat the dry components into the wet ingredients gradually, with the mixer running on low speed, until no flour pockets are visible. Avoid over-mixing. There should be about 3 and a half cups of batter.
Make a cinnamon sugar swirl by combining sugar and cinnamon. Fill the loaf pan with half of the banana bread batter. Add a dusting of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Spoon the leftover batter over the top. Spreading will be a bit more difficult because the top layer of batter will want to adhere to the cinnamon-sugar filling, but do your best to spread it out carefully with a spoon. Swirl the batter with a knife down the middle of the loaf pan. Refrain from overs wirling as this will excessively blend the layers together.
What You’ll Love About This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Quick and easy to make
Sweet flavors of banana, vanilla, and cinnamon sugar
Cake-like texture stays moist for days
Excellent use for over-ripe bananas; or you can thaw frozen bananas
Extra delicious with creamy vanilla icing
A great treat any time of day
Freezes well, so make ahead and stock your freezer for banana bread