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Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread with Vanilla Icing Recipe

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4.1 from 4 reviews

Enjoy a super moist and flavorful Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread featuring a thick swirl of cinnamon-sugar through the batter and finished with a dreamy vanilla icing drizzle. This dessert-style banana bread combines classic comfort with a sweet, spiced twist, making it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a delightful treat any time of day.

  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices)

Ingredients

Banana Bread

  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar (or packed brown sugar)
  • 4 Tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (345g) mashed bananas (about 4 medium or 3 large ripe bananas)
  • 1/3 cup (80g) plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl

  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Vanilla Icing

  • 1/2 cup (60g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
  • 1 Tablespoon (15ml) heavy cream or milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Adjust your oven rack to the lower third position and preheat to 350°F (177°C) to prevent premature browning. Grease a 9×5-inch metal loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set this aside for later.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a handheld or stand mixer with paddle or whisk attachment, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes.
  4. Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: With mixer on medium, add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Then mix in mashed bananas, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract until just combined.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: On low speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until no flour pockets remain. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread tender and moist. The batter should be about 3 and 1/2 cups.
  6. Create Cinnamon Swirl: Stir together sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Spoon half the banana bread batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter.
  7. Top and Swirl Batter: Carefully pour and spread the remaining batter on top of the cinnamon-sugar layer—use a spoon to gently spread as the batter will stick to the cinnamon sugar. With a knife, gently swirl the batter down the center to create the signature cinnamon swirl, avoiding over-swirling.
  8. Bake: Bake for 55 to 65 minutes. About halfway through baking, loosely cover the loaf with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Begin checking at 55 minutes, then every 5 minutes thereafter.
  9. Cool the Bread: Remove the loaf from oven and cool in the pan on a wire rack for 1 hour. Then remove from the pan and continue cooling on the rack until fully cooled.
  10. Prepare Vanilla Icing: Whisk together confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and vanilla extract until smooth and thick.
  11. Drizzle and Serve: Drizzle the icing over the cooled banana bread before slicing. Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week. Note that the icing will seep into the bread, making the top slices slightly moist over time.

Notes

  • Use well-ripened bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • Do not over-mix the batter after adding flour to ensure a tender crumb.
  • Lowering the oven rack prevents the top from browning too quickly.
  • Covering with foil mid-bake helps avoid excessive browning while baking through.
  • You can substitute sour cream for Greek yogurt if preferred.
  • Room temperature ingredients blend better and improve texture.
  • Store banana bread wrapped tightly to retain moisture.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/cinnamon-swirl-banana-bread-with-vanilla-icing-recipe/