This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread has a thick cinnamon swirl throughout the middle of the loaf and is topped with cinnamon and sugar.
Quick Tips
- Grease, then line your loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the banana bread
- Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf (where it cracked) comes out clean!
- Use a lighter colored metal loaf pan and bake at a lower temperature 350 degrees, or 325 degrees convection bake to ensure that the loaf bakes as evenly as possible (that top middle part is always the last to fully bake!)
Equipment
- Loaf pan (1.5 pound or ~9×5″) – I like this one!
- Mixing bowls, one large and one small – these are my favorites
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Silicone spatula
- Parchment paper
- Hand or stand mixer
Ingredient Notes
- Butter: salted or unsalted is OK, this is used in the banana bread and for brushing on top after baking
- Granulated sugar: this is used in the banana bread and for the topping
- Bananas: very ripe and mashed, 3 medium sized bananas or two large bananas
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Baking soda
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar: light or dark is OK, used for the cinnamon swirl
- Cinnamon: used for the cinnamon swirl and for the topping
Love this Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread? Try these other banana bread recipes!
- Cream Cheese Swirl Banana Bread
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter Swirl Banana Bread
- Mini Cinnamon Sugar Banana Muffins
How to make Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is made with simple ingredients and is simple to make! Follow the instructions below.
- Make the banana bread batter
- Make the filling and assemble the banana loaf
- Bake the banana bread and add the sugar topping
How to make the banana bread batter
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees is using convection bake). Grease and line a standard (9inx5inx3in) loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease well. Set aside.
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes or until fluffy. Scrape down the bowl once complete.
Add the ripe bananas and mix well (the mixer will mash the bananas for you).
Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well, then scrape down the bowl. Then add the baking soda and salt. Mix well.
Add the flour and mix until well combined. Scrape down the bowl once complete. Set the mixture aside while you make the filling.
How to make the filling and assemble the banana loaf
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
Add half of the banana bread batter to the prepared loaf pan.
Sprinkle all of the filling mixture evenly over the batter, then add the remaining banana batter over the top of the cinnamon swirl filling. Spoon it gently throughout to avoid needing to spread the batter too much.
How to bake the banana bread and add the sugar topping
Bake for 50-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Spin the pan halfway through baking to ensure an even bake.
After you remove the loaf from the oven, melt the butter and spoon/brush it over the top of the loaf.
Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl then sprinkle it over the top of the loaf immediately after adding the melted butter.
Allow the loaf to cool for at least 30 minutes before removing it from the pan and cutting into it (an hour is recommended).
Try these other cinnamon desserts!
Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Equipment
- loaf pan (1.5 pound or ~9×5")
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls (one large and one small)
- silicone spatula
Ingredients
For the banana bread
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup mashed bananas (3 medium-sized ripe bananas or 2 large ripe bananas)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
For the cinnamon swirl
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
For the topping
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
How to make the banana bread
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees is using convection bake)
- Grease and line a standard (9inx5inx3in) loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease well. Set aside.
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and sugar for 1-2 minutes or until fluffy. Scrape down the bowl once complete.
- Add the ripe bananas and mix well (the mixer will mash the bananas for you).
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well, then scrape down the bowl.
- Add the baking soda and salt. Mix well.
- Add the flour and mix until well combined. Scrape down the bowl once complete.
- Set the mixture aside while you make the filling.
How to make the cinnamon swirl and assemble the banana bread loaf
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Add half of the banana bread batter to the prepared loaf pan.
- Sprinkle all of the filling mixture evenly over the batter.
- Add the remaining banana batter over the top of the cinnamon swirl filling. Spoon it gently throughout to avoid needing to spread the batter too much.
How to bake and add the topping
- Bake for 50-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Spin the pan halfway through baking to ensure an even bake.
- After you remove the loaf from the oven, melt the butter and spoon/brush it over the top of the loaf.
- Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl then sprinkle it over the top of the loaf immediately after adding the melted butter.
- Allow the loaf to cool for at least 30 minutes before removing it from the pan and cutting into it (an hour is recommended).
