A moist and delicious cinnamon banana bread recipe that takes less than 20 minutes to prep.  Serve this for breakfast or as dessert!

Three slices of cinnamon banana bread on a white plate. Two bananas sit nearby.

Are you tired of seeing banana bread recipes yet? I sure hope not, because I have a delicious and easy recipe to share with you all today. A few weeks ago, I had some overripe bananas and needed to use them.  I decided to make a batch of banana bread but wanted to add a little something extra to it. I threw around a few ideas to my husband and this one ended up being the winner.

Actually, my other idea was a chocolate chip banana bread, but my husband seems to think that bananas and chocolate are a weird combination. Umm, whaaaat? I thought chocolate made everything better?

For the record, he actually orders a chocolate-covered frozen banana every time we go to this local ice cream shop. I still can’t figure out his logic.

But anyway, back to this banana bread. I added an additional banana and a bit of brown sugar to add more moisture to the bread. Moist banana bread = the best thing ever.

Recipe Ingredients 

This cinnamon sugar banana bread is like a classic banana bread recipe, but with a cinnamon swirl running throughout it. Here’s what you’ll need to make it: 

  • Butter: Always use unsalted butter in baked goods. The amount of salt in salted butters can vary between brands. 
  • Sugar: I used a blend of granulated and brown sugar to sweeten the bread and make it ultra moist. 
  • Eggs: Must be room temperature before being mixed into the batter. 
  • Vanilla extract: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. 
  • Bananas: You’ll need about 4 ripe bananas for this recipe. They should be speckled, but not completely black. 
  • All-purpose flour: Spoon and level the flour when measuring it. Don’t scoop the flour out of the bag with your measuring cup, otherwise they flour will be compacted and you’ll accidentally measure out too much. 
  • Baking powder and baking soda: Helps the banana bread rise in the oven. 
  • Cinnamon and salt: Cinnamon is used in the batter and in the cinnamon-sugar swirl. The salt balances out the sweetness of the batter and enhances the banana flavor. 

Three slices of Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread on a white plate. Two bananas and the loaf of banana bread rest nearby.

How to Make Cinnamon Banana Bread 

This cinnamon swirl banana bread comes together like a classic quick bread. Mix together the softened butter and sugars, then add the remaining wet ingredients. 

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl before mixing them into the wet ingredients. Turn about half the batter into a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar, then top with the remaining batter.

The banana bread will need to bake for roughly 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Can I Make This Recipe as Muffins? 

Yes! The prep time would take longer, of course, but you can certainly make this recipe as muffin. The bake time would likely be around 20 minutes. 

Baking Tips 

  • For the cinnamon swirl, you can either make one thicker layer or two slightly thinner layers. I’ve tried it both ways and they’re equally delicious.  
  • You’re welcome to stir chopped walnuts (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup) or another mix-in of choice into the batter, if desired. 
  • This bread freezes well for up to 3 months. When reheated the cinnamon and sugar layer tastes amazing!

More Banana Recipes to Try! 

Cinnamon Swirled Banana Bread

4.90 from 29 ratings
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
A moist and delicious banana bread with an easy cinnamon sugar swirl. Serve this for breakfast or as dessert!
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Ingredients

Servings: 10 slices
  • 1/2 cup (115 grams) unsalted butter , softened
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (440 grams) mashed banana (about 4 large bananas)
  • 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Using a handheld mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined (about 1 minute). Add in the eggs and vanilla, making sure to mix well after each ingredient. Add the mashed banana and stir by hand.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined, making sure not to overmix the batter.
  • In a separate bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon for the cinnamon sugar swirl and set aside.
  • For one layer of the cinnamon sugar: pour about half of the banana bread into the loaf pan and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, then pour the remaining batter on top.
  • For two layers of the cinnamon sugar (like the picture above): pour about one-third of the batter in the loaf pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top, and repeat layers, topping with the last third of the banana bread.
  • Bake for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the banana bread becomes too dark, tent with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool in loaf pan for 10 minutes. Remove the bread from the loaf pan and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

Storage: Banana bread can be kept at room temperature for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. 
Banana Bread recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook. 
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Danielle
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.