Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Ingredients and Their Role in the Bread

This recipe uses simple ingredients that work together to create a moist loaf with plenty of cinnamon flavor. This is what you'll need:

For the banana bread:

• Ripe Bananas - Add natural sweetness, moisture, and classic banana flavor.
• Sugar - Sweetens the bread and helps create a tender crumb.
• Shortening - Keeps the loaf moist and soft.
• Eggs - Provide structure and richness.
• Vanilla Extract - Enhances the overall flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour - Gives the bread its structure.
• Baking Soda - Helps the loaf rise.
• Salt - Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.

For the cinnamon crumb swirl:

• Cinnamon - Adds warm spice flavor throughout the loaf.
• Brown Sugar - Creates a rich, caramel-like sweetness.
• Butter - Helps form the crumb texture.
• All-Purpose Flour - Binds the crumb mixture together.

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

• Butter - Helps the coating stick to the loaf.
• Cinnamon - Adds extra warmth and spice.
• Sugar - Creates a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior.

Best Bananas for Banana Bread

The best bananas for banana bread are very ripe with plenty of brown spots on the peel. As bananas ripen, they become sweeter and softer, making them perfect for baking.

Small brown speckles are good, but heavily spotted bananas with dark peels are even better. Frozen bananas work well too. Simply thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing.

Why This Banana Bread Is Different

Many cinnamon swirl banana breads have a cinnamon layer in the middle, but this recipe takes things one step further.

After baking, the loaf is brushed with melted butter and rolled in cinnamon sugar. The result is a loaf that tastes a bit like a cross between banana bread and a churro or snickerdoodle cookie. That sweet outer coating creates a wonderful contrast to the soft interior and helps make this banana bread with cinnamon sugar topping truly special.

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

This recipe comes together easily and fills your kitchen with the most amazing aroma while it bakes. Here's what to do:

1. Combine shortening and sugar.
2. Cream mixture with a fork - no mixer needed!
3. Add eggs and blend.
4. Whisk in vanilla extract.

5. Mash bananas with a fork.
6. Add to creamed mixture.
7. Mix dry ingredients together, flour, baking soda, and salt, then add to wet ingredients.
8. Stir well.

9. To make cinnamon crumb swirl, combine brown sugar, very cold butter, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
10. Crumb with a pastry blender, fork or your hands.
11. Pour half of the banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top.
12. Scatter cinnamon crumbs over batter.
13. Pour the remainder of the batter on top of the crumbs. Carefully level it off so it covers the entire surface.
14. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. It is also wise to check on it after 30 minutes to see whether it is getting too brown. If so, tent with foil; if not, check again every 10 minutes or so.

Pro Tip: Make sure your butter is very cold to help form the mixture into small crumbs. Dice the butter into cubes and mix with a pastry cutter or your hands. Do not overmix!

15. To finish with the sweet crunchy coating, allow the banana bread to cool. When ready, melt the butter and brush it on every side of the bread.
16. Mix the cinnamon and sugar on a large flat surface, such as a cutting board, then roll butter-covered bread immediately in the cinnamon sugar. Make sure to coat all sides.

Your mouth will just water waiting to dive into this moist, delicious bread! Have it for breakfast, a mid-afternoon treat, or top it with ice cream for a seriously awesome dessert. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips for Success

A few simple tips will help ensure your bread turns out perfectly every time.

• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and texture.
• Measure flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
• Don't overmix the batter or the bread may become dense.
• Use room-temperature eggs for easier mixing.
• Cover the loaf loosely with foil if the top begins browning too quickly.
• A few moist crumbs on the toothpick are fine, but wet batter means it needs more baking time.
• Let the bread cool completely before adding the cinnamon sugar coating.

Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own

This recipe is easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins and flavors.

• With Chips - Add ½ cup of caramel, cinnamon, or chocolate chips.
• With Nuts - Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or macadamia nuts.
• With Fresh Fruit - Add ½ cup chopped apples, pears, strawberries, peaches, or whole blueberries tossed in 1 tablespoon flour.
• With Dried Fruit - Mix in ½ cup raisins, cranberries, blueberries, cherries, or apricots.
• Maple - Substitute the vanilla extract with maple syrup.
• Spices - Add ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom.
• Crumble Topping - Double the cinnamon swirl mixture and use half for the center and half as a topping. Skip the cinnamon sugar coating.
• Without the Swirl - Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon directly to the batter and omit the swirl layer.
• Gluten-Free - Use a gluten-free baking mix instead of all-purpose flour.

How to Serve Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

This cinnamon sugar banana bread is delicious served at room temperature, but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it.

Warm slices and serve with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey. It's wonderful with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. For dessert, try serving a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.

How to Store the Bread and How Long It Lasts

Once completely cooled, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days and in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To freeze, wrap the loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

More Banana Bread Recipes

If you love banana bread, here are a few more delicious variations to try.

• Cinnamon Apple Streusel Bread - A cozy quick bread loaded with apples and topped with pecan streusel.
• Coconut Banana Bread - Tropical coconut flavor pairs perfectly with sweet bananas.
• Double Chocolate Banana Bread - Rich chocolate flavor makes this one feel like dessert.
• Nutella Banana Bread - Swirls of Nutella make every slice extra indulgent.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread - A peanut butter and chocolate lover's dream.

Find lots of easy bread recipes here on 2CM!