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Close-up of three slices of Dorm-Friendly banana bread featuring a rich cinnamon swirl pattern.

Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Make this simple cinnamon swirl banana bread. It is a good option for brunch and uses basic ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Cooling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Batter
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1.5 cups mashed ripe banana (about 4 bananas)
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 6 thin slices ripe banana, for garnishing

Equipment

  • 9x5 inch loaf pan
  • Large bowl
  • Small bowl
  • Baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, melt the butter and let cool slightly. Whisk in the sugar then the eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour and baking soda. Fold in the mashed bananas until just combined.
  3. In a small bowl, use a fork to stir together the cinnamon sugar swirl ingredients until thick and well combined. If your swirl is too thick to swirl, add an additional tablespoon of melted butter until it is thin enough to swirl. If it is too thin, it will spread and not hold its swirl as the loaf bakes.
  4. Spread 1/4 of the batter (about 1 cup) evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Dollop 1/4 of the cinnamon sugar mixture (about 1 tablespoon) over the batter in the pan and then make a thick swirl through the batter with a table knife or bottom of a wooden spoon.
  5. Place 1/3 of the remaining batter (about 1 cup) evenly over the first layer and swirl with 1/3 of the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture (about 1 tablespoon).
  6. Place 1/2 of the remaining batter (about 1 cup) evenly over the second layer and swirl with 1/2 of the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture (about 1 tablespoon).
  7. Spread the remaining batter evenly over the top and dollop with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture. Make large swirls throughout the entire loaf. Place six thin banana slices down the middle of the batter.
  8. Place loaf pan on a baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top of the bread is browned before the center is baked all the way through, tint the loaf with foil and let it continue to bake until the center is baked all the way through.
  9. Let the bread cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

This recipe is suitable for small spaces like dorm rooms, provided you have access to an oven.