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Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

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This moist and easy cinnamon swirl banana bread features a gooey, spiced cinnamon-sugar center and a golden, crisp top. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a comforting snack, it’s a classic banana bread with a delicious twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed (for swirl)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for swirl)
  • 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar or extra brown sugar (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. Mash bananas in a medium bowl until mostly smooth.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until well combined.
  4. Add eggs, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), vanilla extract, and mashed bananas. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
  5. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula. Stop mixing as soon as no dry flour remains.
  7. In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon for the swirl.
  8. Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top.
  9. Add remaining batter, then sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar on top. Swirl gently with a butter knife in a few figure-eight motions.
  10. Optional: Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top for extra crunch.
  11. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are okay). If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil at the 40-minute mark.
  12. Let bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

For best results, use extra-ripe bananas. Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender. Let the bread cool completely before slicing for clean cuts and best texture. Add-ins like chocolate chips or walnuts can be mixed into the batter or swirl for variety. For gluten-free or dairy-free versions, use appropriate substitutes as noted in the blog.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, cinnamon swirl, moist banana bread, easy banana bread, classic banana bread, breakfast, snack, dessert, quick bread, homemade

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/cinnamon-swirl-banana-bread-recipe-best-moist-and-easy-classic/