Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – After making this many times, I’ve perfected the secret to the moistest banana bread. This golden, tender loaf is better than store-bought and perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Protein Pancakes with Cottage Cheese and Oats and Easy Hot and Sour Noodle Soup Recipe with Pork Topping.

What You'll Need for Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Optional: Walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

How to Make Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
2. Mash bananas: Mash ripe bananas in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Mix wet ingredients: Mix in melted butter, baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Add flour: Gradually add flour to the banana mixture, mixing just until combined.
5. Prepare cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
6. Create swirl: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Top with remaining batter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storing & Reheating Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Freezing Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

Freeze sliced banana bread in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For an extra touch, brush the top of the banana bread with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
• Best substitution: Substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in two loaf pans.
• Troubleshooting: If the banana bread is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.

Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

50-60 mins

⏳

Total

1 hr 15 mins

🍽

Serves

1 loaf

🥗

Diet

Vegetarian

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Optional Toppings

• Walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
2. Mash bananas: Mash ripe bananas in a large bowl until smooth.
3. Mix wet ingredients: Mix in melted butter, baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Add flour: Gradually add flour to the banana mixture, mixing just until combined.
5. Prepare cinnamon swirl: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon. Set aside.
6. Create swirl: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter. Top with remaining batter and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Chef tip: For an extra touch, brush the top of the banana bread with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
• Best substitution: Substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
• Make-ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in two loaf pans.
• Troubleshooting: If the banana bread is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze sliced banana bread in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Oven reheat: Reheat slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
• Make ahead: Prepare the batter up to 1 day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 7g
• Carbs: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Cholesterol: 40mg
• Sat. Fat: 4g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try Moist Banana Bread with a Cinnamon Swirl – Better Than Store-Bought and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!