Ingredients
For the Banana Bread
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. You can also line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
To the mashed bananas, add the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This helps distribute the baking soda evenly, ensuring a well-risen loaf.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense instead of fluffy. If using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.
In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon together. This will create the flavorful cinnamon swirl that runs through the loaf.
Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the top. Pour the remaining batter over this layer and then sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar on top.
Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter. Make figure-eight motions to create a marbled effect—don’t overmix, or the swirl will disappear!
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy warm with butter, honey, or a drizzle of glaze!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g