If you love the cozy flavors of cinnamon rolls and the comforting texture of banana bread, you are in for a real treat with this Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe. It perfectly combines the sweetness and moistness of ripe bananas with the irresistible swirl of cinnamon sugar, giving you a loaf that tastes like a warm hug in every bite. Whether you want a stunning breakfast centerpiece or an afternoon pick-me-up, this recipe brings a little slice of heaven straight from your oven to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe plays a key role, whether it’s adding moistness, sweetness, or that signature swirl of cinnamon magic. The beauty is in the simplicity—the fundamental pantry staples, ripe bananas, and a few thoughtful spices all come together to deliver layers of flavor and an unforgettable texture.
- All-purpose flour: The structure of our bread depends on this essential base ingredient ensuring the perfect crumb texture.
- Baking soda: It’s the leavening agent that gives the bread a lovely rise and tenderness.
- Salt: A tiny pinch balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: The star of the show for that iconic cinnamon roll taste.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create a moist, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread while helping to achieve that fluffy texture when creamed with butter.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the structure and moistness.
- Ripe bananas: The heart of banana bread, bringing natural sweetness and velvety moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the crumb and adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Combined with cinnamon to create that irresistible cinnamon-sugar swirl throughout the batter.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature while you prep your ingredients. Grease your 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or even better, line it with parchment paper to make removal a breeze once baked.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. This mixture will gently infuse your bread with that classic cinnamon roll aroma and ensure balanced leavening for a tender loaf.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step traps air to give your bread a delightful lift and soft texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs
One by one, mix in the eggs, beating well after each addition. Eggs add moisture and help to hold everything together while enhancing the bread’s richness.
Step 5: Prepare the Banana Mixture
Mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps for texture. Stir in vanilla extract to bring out the bananas’ sweet, mellow flavor.
Step 6: Combine Wet Ingredients
Blend the mashed bananas and vanilla mixture into the creamed butter, sugar, and eggs until just combined. This creates a luscious banana base that is ready for the dry ingredients.
Step 7: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk
Add the flour mixture in batches, alternating with buttermilk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir gently after each addition, being careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender and moist.
Step 8: Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
Mix the brown sugar and ground cinnamon together in a small bowl. This heavenly cinnamon swirl will create the signature ripples through the banana bread, making each slice even more special.
Step 9: Assemble the Batter and Cinnamon Swirl Layers
Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over this layer. Add the remaining batter on top and then finish by sprinkling the rest of the cinnamon-sugar over the surface.
Step 10: Create the Cinnamon Swirl Pattern
Gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter using a butter knife or skewer. The key is to create beautiful marbled patterns without overmixing, so those luscious cinnamon pockets stay intact.
Step 11: Bake to Perfection
Pop your loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean or with only a few crumbs, your Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe is ready to cool and be devoured.
Step 12: Cool Before Slicing
After baking, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures clean slices and lets all those flavors settle perfectly.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of cream cheese glaze complements the cinnamon swirl beautifully and adds a touch of elegance to any serving occasion.
Side Dishes
This banana bread pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream, making it a delightful dessert or afternoon treat. For breakfast, try it with fresh berries or a smear of butter or nut butter for extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut slices thick and arrange them on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of cinnamon sugar, honey, and nuts for an inviting brunch spread. You can also toast slices slightly and top with cream cheese and sliced bananas for a new take on a classic morning snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to retain moisture. It’ll keep fresh at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for about a week.
Freezing
This banana bread freezes beautifully, either whole or sliced. Wrap it snugly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place slices in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to three months and thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To revive your banana bread’s moist, fresh-from-the-oven warmth, heat slices in a toaster oven or microwave for 20-30 seconds. Adding a pat of butter before warming makes it extra luscious and irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen bananas work great—just thaw and drain any excess liquid before mashing to avoid making the batter too runny.
Is it necessary to use buttermilk?
Buttermilk adds tenderness and a slight tang but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic the acidity.
Can I make these into muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes! Use a muffin tin and bake at 350°F for about 18-22 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they don’t overbake, as the smaller size cooks faster.
How ripe should the bananas be?
The riper the better! Look for bananas with lots of brown spots or even fully brown skins—they’ll be super sweet and perfect for this recipe.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Definitely! Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch, while chocolate chips bring extra indulgence. Fold them gently into the batter before assembling your cinnamon swirl layers.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about diving into a slice of the Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe, especially when homemade with love and simple ingredients. It’s a perfect balance of moist banana goodness and warm cinnamon sweetness that brings joy to any meal or snack time. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and experience the delicious magic for yourself—happy baking!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (approximately 10 slices)
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread combines the comforting flavors of classic banana bread with the sweet, spicy swirls of cinnamon sugar, creating a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
Cinnamon Sugar Swirl
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature by the time your batter is ready.
- Prepare Pan: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate and create a smooth batter.
- Mash Bananas: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth but with some small lumps remaining for texture.
- Add Vanilla: Stir the vanilla extract into the mashed bananas to enhance flavor.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the banana and vanilla mixture to the creamed butter, sugar, and eggs, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Alternate Adding Dry and Buttermilk: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, stirring gently after each addition to maintain a tender texture without overmixing.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and ground cinnamon until well mixed to create the swirl topping.
- Layer Batter and Cinnamon Sugar: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture over the batter.
- Second Batter Layer: Pour the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar layer and spread evenly.
- Top with Remaining Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the top layer of batter.
- Create Swirl Effect: Using a butter knife or skewer, gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter to create a marbled effect without overmixing, which preserves texture and appearance.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
- Check Doneness: Insert a toothpick or skewer in the center to test; if it comes out clean, the bread is done baking.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set.
- Transfer to Wire Rack: After the initial cooling, turn the banana bread out onto a wire rack to cool completely to prevent sogginess and allow slicing.
Notes
- Make sure bananas are very ripe for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a glaze, mix powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over cooled bread optionally.
