Snickerdoodle Banana Bread (Printable)
A moist banana bread with a cinnamon-sugar swirl inspired by classic snickerdoodle cookies.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
07 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
08 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1/4 cup brown sugar
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl and Topping
12 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
13 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until well blended.
04 - Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the crumb tender.
05 - In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
06 - Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter layer.
07 - Spread the remaining batter over the first layer and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar over the surface and swirl lightly with a butter knife for a marbled effect.
08 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
09 - Let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cinnamon-sugar swirl creates these pockets of molten sweetness that make every slice feel like a hidden surprise
- It solves the problem of banana bread being slightly boring by adding texture and warmth without complicating anything
02 -
- Overmixing the batter once the flour goes in is the number one reason homemade banana bread turns out dense and gummy instead of light and tender
- Letting the swirl mixture sit on top of the batter for a minute before swirling gives it a chance to start melting into the surface, which creates better definition in the marble pattern
03 -
- Toasting 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans and folding them into the batter adds a nutty crunch that plays beautifully with the cinnamon
- Substituting up to half the flour with whole wheat flour works great and adds a slightly earthy flavor that complements the bananas