We all know the feeling. You buy bananas with every intention of eating them before they turn mushy, and somehow every single time they sit on the counter a little too long. Instead of tossing them, I decided to turn those overripe bananas into something cozy and comforting. Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread. It has everything you love about classic banana bread with a buttery brown sugar cinnamon swirl layered throughout and a sweet vanilla glaze on top.
Why You Will Love This Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
It is the ultimate “cozy” dessert. You get the classic, moist texture of banana bread mixed with that sweet cinnamon swirl that makes cinnamon rolls so addicting. It’s a great way to use up those brown bananas on your counter, and it makes your whole house smell like a bakery while it’s in the oven.
Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread Ingredients
- Ripe bananas: The riper, the better! They add natural sweetness and keep the bread moist and tender.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for the bread while keeping it soft and fluffy.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in the banana bread.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps keep the bread light.
- Brown sugar: Adds warmth, moisture, and that classic cinnamon roll flavor.
- Ground cinnamon: Brings that cozy cinnamon flavor into both the bread and the swirl.
- Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth without overpowering the cinnamon.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and ties the recipe together.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients and helps the bread rise properly.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise and stay airy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies all the other flavors.
- Powdered sugar: The base for the vanilla icing to drizzle on top.
- Heavy cream or milk: Helps thin the powdered sugar into a pourable glaze.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
Let’s start with the bananas sitting on your counter. Grab them and mash them up along with some softened butter in a bowl until smooth. Add a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract and both granulated and brown sugar. Crack in your egg and stir everything together until it’s well combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until it comes together.
Next, the cinnamon swirl. Mix the brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg. When you pour half of the banana bread batter into your pan, add half of the cinnamon mixture. Pour the remaining batter on top and gently swirl with a fork.
Bake the bread until it’s golden and a toothpick comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. While the bread cools, make the vanilla icing by combining powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the icing over the cooled bread before slicing and serving.
How to Make Vanilla Icing
In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk (or heavy cream) until smooth and pourable. Drizzle the icing over the banana bread once it has cooled slightly.
Other Banana Desserts You’ll Love
Cinnamon Roll Banana Bread
Description
A delicious twist on classic banana bread featuring a rich brown sugar and cinnamon swirl and a sweet vanilla glaze.
Ingredients
Batter
Cinnamon Filling
Vanilla Icing
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan.
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Start by mashing your ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth. Add the egg, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and brown sugar, then stir until everything is well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread soft and tender.
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Prepare the cinnamon sugar swirl by combining melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract.
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Spoon half of the banana bread batter into the greased loaf pan and spread it evenly. Carefully drizzle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Use a fork to gently swirl the cinnamon layer into the batter. Then pour the remaining banana bread batter and cinnamon sugar.
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Bake for 55-60 minutes. Check around 55 minutes with a toothpick (it should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs).
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Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about an hour. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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While the bread cools, make the vanilla icing by whisking together powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk, and vanilla extract. Drizzle the icing over the cooled bread before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 340kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 14g22%
- Saturated Fat 9g45%
- Cholesterol 45mg15%
- Sodium 280mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 52g18%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 32g
- Protein 4g8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
