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Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread has a thick cinnamon swirl throughout the middle of the loaf and is topped with cinnamon and sugar.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

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

Equipment

  • Hand or stand mixer
  • loaf pan (1.5 pound or ~9x5")
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls (one large and one small)
  • silicone spatula
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

How to make the banana bread
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees is using convection bake)
  2. Grease and line a standard (9inx5inx3in) loaf pan with parchment paper, or grease well. Set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. Add the ripe bananas and mix well (the mixer will mash the bananas for you).
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well, then scrape down the bowl.
  6. Add the baking soda and salt. Mix well.
  7. Add the flour and mix until well combined. Scrape down the bowl once complete.
  8. Set the mixture aside while you make the filling.
How to make the cinnamon swirl and assemble the banana bread loaf
  1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.
  2. Add half of the banana bread batter to the prepared loaf pan.
  3. Sprinkle all of the filling mixture evenly over the batter.
  4. 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
  1. 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.
  2. After you remove the loaf from the oven, melt the butter and spoon/brush it over the top of the loaf.
  3. Mix the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl then sprinkle it over the top of the loaf immediately after adding the melted butter.
  4. Allow the loaf to cool for at least 30 minutes before removing it from the pan and cutting into it (an hour is recommended).