Description
This cinnamon swirl banana bread elevates classic banana bread with ribbons of sweet cinnamon sugar swirled throughout every slice. Moist, tender, and beautiful with every bite!
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 4 eggs
- 6 overripe bananas, mashed (about 2 cups)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- â…” cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9×5 inch loaf pans thoroughly, getting into all corners.
2. In large bowl, cream softened butter and 2 cups sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This incorporates air for tender bread.
3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in mashed bananas, sour cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix.
5. In small bowl, mix â…” cup sugar and cinnamon together until evenly combined. This is your swirl mixture.
6. Pour half the batter evenly into prepared loaf pans. Sprinkle half the cinnamon-sugar mixture over batter in each pan.
7. Add remaining batter on top, then sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar. Use butter knife or skewer to swirl through batter in figure-eight motion, creating marbled effect.
8. Bake 60-70 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Tops should be golden brown and spring back when touched. Cool in pans 15 minutes before removing.
Notes
Storage: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for 3-4 days. Refrigerate for up to 1 week. Freeze wrapped loaves for up to 3 months.
Muffin Option: Fill muffin cups â…” full and bake 18-22 minutes. Makes about 24 muffins. Swirl technique works exactly the same way.
Pro Tips: Line pan bottoms with parchment paper for easiest release. Don’t swirl too much or you’ll lose the pretty marble effect. Tent with foil after 50 minutes if tops brown too quickly.
Variations: Add 1 cup toasted chopped walnuts or pecans to batter. Or fold in 1 cup mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 165mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg