Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread with Vanilla Glaze Recipe
This Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread combines moist, flavorful banana bread with a sweet and spicy cinnamon swirl, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfectly balanced with ripe bananas and a hint of cinnamon, this recipe creates a delicious treat ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Banana Bread
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy to create a smooth base for the batter.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg until well combined, then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Mash Bananas: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth to integrate nicely into the batter.
- Combine Bananas with Batter: Add the mashed bananas to the butter and sugar mixture and mix well, ensuring an even distribution.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to prepare the dry component.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk—start with a third of the dry ingredients, then half the milk, then another third of dry ingredients, remaining milk, and finish with the last third of dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing and maintain tenderness.
- Prepare Cinnamon Swirl Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix until it forms a thick, spreadable paste.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Swirl: Pour half the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Add First Cinnamon Layer: Dollop half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon mixture into the batter for a marbled effect.
- Add Remaining Batter: Pour the remaining banana bread batter over the cinnamon swirl layer.
- Add Second Cinnamon Swirl: Dollop the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture on top and swirl again with a knife to incorporate more cinnamon flavor.
- Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly to prevent burning.
- Cool Bread: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture.
- Make Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add more milk if needed to reach desired consistency.
- Apply Glaze: Once the banana bread is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top. Allow it to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread tender and light.
- Swirling the cinnamon mixture too much can blend it completely, losing the swirl effect.
- If you don’t have milk, you can substitute with any plant-based milk for a dairy-free option.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: banana bread, cinnamon swirl, homemade banana bread, quick bread, breakfast, dessert, vanilla glaze