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To make a delicious cinnamon swirl banana bread, gather these simple ingredients: - 3 ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1 small pinch of salt - 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for a deeper flavor, use brown sugar) - 1 large egg, beaten until frothy - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 cup all-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar (for the cinnamon swirl) You can swap some ingredients if needed: - Use coconut oil in place of unsalted butter for a dairy-free option. - Substitute honey or maple syrup for granulated sugar for a healthier touch. - If you want a gluten-free option, try almond flour instead of all-purpose flour. Choosing the right bananas is key. Look for bananas that have: - A bright yellow color with some brown spots, as this shows ripeness. - A soft feel when you squeeze them gently, indicating they are ready. - If your bananas are still green, let them sit at room temperature for a few days. You can speed up the ripening by placing them in a paper bag. These tips will help you select the best bananas for your bread, leading to a richer flavor and texture. {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This helps your bread bake evenly. While it heats, take a 9x5 inch loaf pan and grease it with butter or cooking spray. This step is key to stopping the bread from sticking. A well-prepared pan makes removing the bread easy once it’s baked. In a large bowl, mash three ripe bananas until smooth. You want them creamy, with no lumps. Next, add 1/3 cup of melted unsalted butter. Stir these together well. Then, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda and a small pinch of salt. Mix them in for a balanced flavor. Now, add 3/4 cup of granulated sugar or brown sugar for a deeper taste. Mix until combined. Then, pour in one beaten large egg and 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract. Stir until everything is mixed well. Now, it’s time to add 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Fold it in gently. This keeps the batter light and fluffy, so don’t over-mix! In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar. This mix gives your bread that tasty swirl. Pour half of the banana batter into your prepared pan. Spread it evenly. Then, sprinkle half of the cinnamon-brown sugar mix over the top. Pour the rest of the banana batter on top, and finish with the remaining cinnamon mix. Now, take a knife or skewer and gently swirl the batter. This creates a beautiful marbled effect. Finally, place the loaf pan in the oven. Bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, move it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your delicious cinnamon swirl banana bread! To make sure your banana bread stays moist, start with very ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and moister the bread. Mash them well; lumps can lead to uneven texture. Use melted butter instead of oil; it adds flavor and richness. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness. Mixing the batter gently helps keep it light. Over-mixing can make the bread dense and dry. One common mistake is not using enough ripe bananas. Stick to three ripe bananas for the best flavor. Another mistake is baking at too high a temperature. Always set your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even cooking. Do not skip the cinnamon swirl mixture. It adds a delicious flavor twist. Lastly, avoid opening the oven door too soon. This can cause the bread to sink in the middle. To check if your banana bread is done, use a toothpick. Insert it in the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the bread is ready. If the toothpick has wet batter, give it more time. Baking usually takes about 60 to 65 minutes. Be patient; the smell will guide you! Pro Tips Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Look for bananas that are heavily speckled or even brown for the best results. Don’t Overmix: When combining the flour with the wet ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can lead to a dense and tough texture. Swirl Technique: For a beautiful cinnamon swirl, use a knife or skewer to gently fold the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture into the batter without fully mixing it in. Cool Before Slicing: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer it to a wire rack. Slicing it too soon can result in a mushy texture. {{image_4}} You can make your cinnamon swirl banana bread even better by adding fun ingredients. Here are some choices: - Chopped nuts: Walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch. - Chocolate chips: They melt and create sweet pockets in the bread. - Dried fruit: Raisins or cranberries give a chewy texture. - Coconut flakes: They add a tropical twist. Feel free to mix in any of these options. Just remember to keep the total amount to about 1 cup. This way, you won’t change the bread’s texture too much. If you need a gluten-free option, it's simple to adapt the recipe. Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Choose one that works well in baking. - Use 1 cup of gluten-free flour blend instead of regular flour. - Add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t have it. This helps the bread rise and stay together. Follow the rest of the steps as usual, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-free treat! For those with nut or dairy allergies, you can make this banana bread safe and tasty. Here’s how: - Nut-free: Omit nuts completely. You can still add chocolate chips or dried fruit. - Dairy-free: Use coconut oil or vegetable oil instead of butter. For the best results, check if your chocolate chips are dairy-free. With these changes, everyone can enjoy this yummy banana bread! To keep your cinnamon swirl banana bread fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. This will help keep the moisture in. Place the wrapped bread in a resealable bag or an airtight container. Store it at room temperature for up to three days. If you live in a warm area, refrigerating it can help it last longer. Just be aware that cold storage may dry it out a bit. If you want to save some banana bread for later, freezing is a great option. First, let the bread cool completely. Then slice it into individual pieces for easy access. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. You can freeze the slices for up to three months. To make sure you enjoy the best flavor, label the bag with the date. When you want to enjoy your frozen banana bread, take a slice out of the bag. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. For a warm treat, you can reheat it in the microwave. Heat it for about 10-15 seconds on high. If you prefer a crispier texture, pop it in a toaster or oven for a few minutes. This will revive the lovely flavors and textures of your cinnamon swirl banana bread. Yes, you can make this recipe without eggs. Use a mashed banana or unsweetened applesauce as a substitute. Use 1/4 cup of either for each egg. This will keep the bread moist and tasty. To store your banana bread, wrap it in plastic wrap or foil. Keep it at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, place it in the fridge. You can also freeze it for about three months. Just slice it first for easy thawing. If your banana bread is too dense, try a few fixes. First, check your flour measurement. Too much flour can make it heavy. Next, ensure you mixed the batter gently. Over-mixing can also cause density. Lastly, make sure your baking soda is fresh. Old baking soda may not rise properly. This blog post covered everything you need for cinnamon swirl banana bread. You learned what ingredients to use, plus tips for picking the right bananas. We walked through making the batter and creating a delightful swirl. You discovered ways to keep your bread moist and how to avoid common mistakes. I also shared options for gluten-free or nut-free bread. Finally, don’t forget how to store and reheat leftovers! Enjoy your baking and make this recipe your own!

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

A deliciously moist banana bread with a delightful cinnamon swirl.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pieces ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten until frothy
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the thoroughly mashed bananas with the melted butter. Stir well until you've formed a smooth and creamy mixture.
  • Next, mix in the baking soda and a pinch of salt, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Add the sugar, followed by the beaten egg and vanilla extract, stirring until all the ingredients are fully combined.
  • Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, carefully folding it in with a spatula until just combined to avoid over-mixing.
  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ground cinnamon and packed brown sugar to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
  • Pour half of the banana batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Then, sprinkle about half of the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture over the top.
  • Gently pour the remaining banana batter on top, followed by the rest of the cinnamon-brown sugar mixture. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the mixture into the batter.
  • Place your loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  • Once baked, let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

For an inviting serving, slice the banana bread while warm and top each slice with a pat of butter or a dollop of cream cheese.
Keyword banana bread, cinnamon, dessert