Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread: A Sweet and Swirled Delight

This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread combines the rich, comforting flavor of banana bread with the indulgent sweetness of cinnamon rolls. The moist, soft banana bread base is elevated by swirls of cinnamon-sugar that add a touch of spice and sweetness to every bite. Topped with a simple glaze, this banana bread has a lovely balance of flavors and textures, with the banana providing a natural sweetness and the cinnamon-sugar swirl offering a hint of warmth. It’s the perfect dish for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea. You can even swap the glaze for a cream cheese frosting for an extra touch of decadence.

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  
  

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  
  

• 1 cup granulated sugar
  
  

• 2 large eggs
  
  

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
  
  

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
  
  

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or substitute with milk + 1 tsp lemon juice)
  
  

For the Cinnamon Sugar Swirl:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
  
  

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  
  

For the Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  
  

• 1-2 tablespoons milk
  
  

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
   
   

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the mashed bananas, softened butter, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
   
   

3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
   
   

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix.
   
   

5. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl. Set aside.
   
   

6. Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the batter. Add the remaining batter on top, and swirl the cinnamon-sugar into the batter using a knife or toothpick.
   
   

7. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
   
   

8. While the bread is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Adjust the milk to achieve your desired consistency.
   
   

9. Let the banana bread cool for 10-15 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack. Drizzle the glaze over the top once the bread has cooled completely.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving)

• Calories: 250 kcal
  
  

• Protein: 3g
  
  

• Fat: 10g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 38g
  
  

• Fiber: 2g
  
  

• Sugar: 20g
  
  

• Sodium: 180mg