Dessert

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

Byluca Carter October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

Introduction

This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread beautifully blends moist banana goodness with a warm cinnamon sugar ribbon that adds both flavor and charm. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it brings cozy homemade vibes to your table with every marbled slice.

The image shows a rectangular banana cinnamon bread with a textured top, covered with swirls of white icing that glisten and make the surface look moist. The bread’s color is a warm golden brown with darker brown cinnamon streaks forming wavy layers across the top. On top of the bread, three slices of banana are placed in different spots, adding a pale yellow contrast with their soft texture. The bread is sitting on a black metal cooling rack over a wooden board, with three whole yellow bananas placed around it. The whole setup rests on a white marbled surface, which adds a clean and bright background to the warm colors of the bread and bananas. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, granulated sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended.

Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
Step 4: In a small bowl, mix the ground cinnamon and brown sugar to create the cinnamon swirl mixture.
Step 5: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter.

Step 6: Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer, then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon mixture on top.
Step 7: Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar through the batter, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to over-swirl.
Step 8: Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent it loosely with foil halfway through baking.

Step 9: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

Substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour for a heartier loaf.
Use frozen bananas thawed overnight if fresh ripe bananas aren’t available.

For added texture, stir in chopped apples or walnuts into the batter before baking.
Try adding a simple vanilla glaze on top to enhance sweetness and visual appeal.

Storage

Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap well and freeze without icing for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and optionally reheat slices gently in a microwave or toaster oven.

How to Serve

The image shows a rectangular banana cinnamon bread topped with a thick swirl of white icing glaze, giving it a shiny and smooth texture. The bread has a golden brown crust with darker brown cinnamon streaks that create a wavy pattern across the top. Embedded in the bread are several slices of banana, their light yellow color contrasting with the darker bread. The bread rests on a black cooling rack, which sits on a wooden board, all placed on a white marbled surface. Around the bread, there are three whole bananas with brown spots on their yellow skins, adding a fresh and natural touch to the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use less sugar in this recipe?

Yes, the recipe balances sweetness between the batter and the cinnamon swirl, but you can reduce granulated sugar slightly if you prefer a less sweet bread. Keep the cinnamon sugar layer as is for flavor contrast.

How do I know when the banana bread is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the bread is done. If it has wet batter, continue baking and check every 5 minutes.