This Easy Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a warm hug for your taste buds! With mashed bananas and a sweet cinnamon swirl, it’s super moist and comforting.
Baking this bread feels like creating magic in your kitchen! I make it for breakfast or a snack, and it disappears fast. Who can resist that sweet aroma? 😋
The best part is how simple it is to whip up. Just mix, swirl, and bake—no fancy tools needed! Enjoy it fresh, or toast it for an extra treat!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the foundation of your banana bread. If you want to make it healthier, you can use whole wheat flour. It will change the texture slightly, making it denser but still tasty!
Bananas: Ripe bananas are key for natural sweetness. You can freeze overripe bananas and thaw them when you’re ready to bake. It’s a great way to avoid waste!
Sour Cream or Yogurt: These ingredients keep the bread moist. If you’re lactose intolerant, try dairy-free yogurt or applesauce as a substitute.
Cinnamon: A must-have for that warm, cozy flavor! If needed, you can swap it with nutmeg or pumpkin spice for a different twist.
What’s the Best Way to Keep this Banana Bread Moist?
Keeping your banana bread moist is all about not overmixing and using the right ingredients. Be gentle when combining wet and dry ingredients. Here are a few tips:
- Use very ripe bananas—they should be spotted and soft for maximum flavor.
- Adding sour cream or yogurt helps retain moisture.
- Don’t overmix the batter. Just gently combine until no dry flour remains.
Lastly, let it cool in the pan for a bit before transferring to a wire rack. This helps keep moisture in. Enjoy your baking!
Easy Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
How Much Time Will You Need?
You’ll need about 15 minutes for prep and 60-70 minutes of baking time. Plus, don’t forget about letting the bread cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. In total, you should expect about an hour and a half to make this delicious banana bread!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to make it easy to remove the bread later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will help ensure even distribution of the baking soda for a nice rise.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they are light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Bananas:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully combined before adding the next. Then, stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
5. Mix in Sour Cream:
Next, fold in the sour cream (or yogurt) until just mixed. Don’t overdo it; we want a tender bread!
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined—lumps are okay, but no big flour pockets!
7. Prepare the Cinnamon Swirl:
In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon for the swirl. This will add that delicious cinnamon flavor throughout the bread!
8. Layer the Batter:
Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
9. Add Remaining Batter:
Pour in the rest of the batter, and then sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture on top.
10. Create the Swirl:
Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cinnamon sugar through the top of the batter. Don’t worry about making it perfect—swirls are what make it special!
11. Bake:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it’s good to go!
12. Cool the Bread:
Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
13. Slice and Enjoy!
Once the bread has cooled, slice it up and enjoy your delicious homemade cinnamon swirl banana bread! It’s perfect on its own or with a bit of butter. Happy baking!
FAQ for Easy Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour! Just keep in mind that it will create a denser loaf. You may want to use a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour for a lighter texture.
How Ripe Should My Bananas Be?
The riper, the better! Look for bananas with lots of brown spots; they should be soft and very sweet. Overripe bananas are perfect for baking as they lend more natural sweetness and flavor to the bread.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Eggs?
Absolutely! You can replace each egg with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water). This will keep the mixture moist and bind the ingredients together.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store your banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like it to last longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw at room temperature before serving!
