This easy homemade banana bread is filled with delicious cinnamon swirls. It’s moist, sweet, and the perfect way to use those overripe bananas sitting on your counter!
Honestly, that cinnamon swirl is the real superstar here! I can’t resist sneaking an extra slice when no one is watching! 🍌😋
Making this bread is so simple! Just mix, pour, and bake. I love it warm with a pat of butter—it makes my mornings so much brighter!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your banana bread. If you’re looking to make it gluten-free, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Bananas: The riper your bananas, the better! If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can place them in a brown paper bag for a day or so. If you’re in a hurry, microwave unpeeled ripe bananas for about 30 seconds to soften them.
Buttermilk: This can easily be replaced with plain yogurt or even milk mixed with a spoonful of vinegar. Just let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Brown Sugar: You can substitute this with granulated sugar if you prefer. For a deeper flavor, coconut sugar works well too.
How Can I Achieve a Perfect Cinnamon Swirl?
The cinnamon swirl is what makes this banana bread special! Here’s how to make it eye-catching and delicious:
- Mix your brown sugar and cinnamon before assembling the bread. This ensures an even distribution of flavor.
- When layering the batter, don’t worry about perfection. It’s all going to swirl together!
- Use a skewer or a butter knife to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter. Be careful not to overdo it; a few gentle swirls are best!
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes for prep, and then another 60-70 minutes for baking. Plus, allow a bit of time for cooling before slicing. In total, expect to spend about 1 hour and 30 minutes to have this delicious bread ready to eat.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is important so that the bread bakes evenly!
2. Prepare Your Loaf Pan:
Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan well. This helps prevent sticking.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
4. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, take your softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will add air and make your banana bread nice and soft.
5. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract for extra flavor.
6. Incorporate the Bananas and Buttermilk:
Mix in the mashed bananas and buttermilk (or yogurt) until everything is well combined—this is what will give the bread its moist texture!
7. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are just fine!
8. Make the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture:
In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. This will create a delicious swirl of flavor in your bread.
9. Layer the Batter:
Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Next, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over this layer.
10. Add More Batter and Swirl:
Pour the remaining banana batter on top and sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon mixture. Use a butter knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter for that gorgeous marbled look.
11. Bake the Bread:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
12. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy your warm banana bread with a bit of butter!
The aroma of baking will fill your kitchen, making it hard to resist a slice right away. Happy baking!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour in this recipe! Just keep in mind that the banana bread may be denser. For a lighter texture, you might want to use a blend of half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour.
What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute. Just mix 1/4 cup of milk with 1/2 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to thicken before using it in the recipe.
How to Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to enjoy again!
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Absolutely! Feel free to add in 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips to the batter for added texture and flavor. Just be cautious not to overmix when stirring them in!
