Ultimate Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Loaf Perfect for Fall
Ultimate Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Loaf Perfect for Fall
There’s something truly magical about the aroma of cinnamon banana bread baking in the oven – it’s the perfect sweet breakfast loaf that fills your home with comforting fall vibes. This special banana bread recipe combines ripe bananas with warm cinnamon and crunchy walnuts to create a baked good that’s perfect for brunch gatherings, cozy breakfasts, or as a delightful snack. Unlike traditional banana breads, our cinnamon banana nut bread has a beautiful swirl effect that makes it extra special and visually stunning.
This banana bread fall recipe is incredibly easy to make, requiring just one bowl and simple pantry ingredients. Whether you’re looking for delicious brunch recipes using bananas or searching for fall recipes baking easy enough for beginners, this cinnamon banana bread delivers exceptional flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread Batter:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set aside. In a small bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter your bread will be!
Step 2: Create the Cinnamon Swirl Mixture
In a separate small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the swirl layer. Set this aside as you’ll be layering it into the batter.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined – be careful not to overmix. If using walnuts, fold them in at this stage.
Step 5: Layer and Swirl
Pour half of the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining batter on top, then sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon-sugar. Use a knife or skewer to create beautiful swirl patterns through the layers.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and slightly cracked. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Expert Tips for Perfect Banana Bread
Banana Ripeness Matters: The best banana bread starts with very ripe bananas – look for ones with plenty of brown spots. They’re sweeter and mash more easily.
Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your bread tough. Mix just until the flour disappears into the batter.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and butter helps create a more uniform batter and better texture.
Customize Your Add-ins: Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries for different flavor variations.
Storage Tips: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze slices wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Yes, you can reduce the sugar slightly, but keep in mind that ripe bananas naturally contribute sweetness. Reducing sugar by ¼ cup should work well.
Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?
This usually happens due to underbaking or opening the oven door too early. Make sure your oven is properly preheated and avoid opening the door during the first 40 minutes of baking.
Can I make muffins instead of a loaf?
Yes! This batter works wonderfully for muffins. Fill muffin cups ⅔ full and bake for 18-22 minutes at the same temperature.
What’s the best way to ripen bananas quickly?
Place bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until the skins turn black. They’ll be perfectly soft and sweet for baking.
Ultimate Cinnamon Banana Bread Recipe: Sweet Breakfast Loaf Perfect for Fall
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and set aside. Mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon for the swirl layer. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet ingredients. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. If using walnuts, fold them in at this stage.
- Pour half of batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over batter. Pour remaining batter on top, then sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar. Use a knife or skewer to create swirl patterns through the layers.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil during last 15 minutes of baking.
- Allow bread to cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve warm.
