This Brown Butter Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a treat you won’t forget! The rich, nutty flavor of brown butter pairs perfectly with sweet bananas and a swirl of cinnamon. Yum!
It’s so easy to whip up, and your kitchen will smell amazing while it bakes! I love to slice a piece warm, slather on butter, and enjoy it with a cup of tea. What’s better than that?
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better! Overripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. If you don’t have ripe bananas, you can speed up the ripening by placing them in a brown paper bag for a day or two.
Browned Butter: Brown butter gives a rich, nutty flavor. If you can’t brown the butter, simply use melted butter. You’ll miss some depth, but it will still be tasty!
Sugars: Using both granulated and brown sugar adds a lovely depth of flavor. If you need a sugar substitute, you can use coconut sugar or even a sugar alternative like stevia; just adjust the quantity based on the product used.
Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon is key for flavor. If you’re out, try nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a different twist. You can also add more for an extra kick if you love cinnamon!
Flour: All-purpose flour works great here, but you can substitute with whole wheat flour for added nutrition. Just note that it may change the texture slightly, making it denser.
How Do I Brown Butter Properly?
Brown butter is all about patience and attention! Here’s how to do it perfectly:
- Start with a saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat, stirring gently.
- Watch closely as it begins to foam; this is when the magic happens!
- As it cooks, the butter will change color and start to smell nutty. You want a rich golden-brown color.
- Once it reaches that color, immediately remove it from heat to prevent burning.
Remember to let it cool slightly before mixing it with your bananas. This will help prevent the eggs from cooking when you combine everything.
How to Make Brown Butter Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Banana Bread:
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, browned
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful banana bread will take about 15 minutes to prepare and approximately 60-70 minutes to bake. After baking, let it cool for another 10 minutes in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Total time: about 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, grab a 9×5-inch loaf pan and grease it well so your banana bread doesn’t stick.
2. Browning the Butter:
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Keep an eye on it as it melts; when it starts to foam and turns a golden brown (about 3-5 minutes), remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly while you prepare the rest of the mixture.
3. Mixing the Banana Base:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas with the browned butter. Stir them together until you have a nice, smooth mixture. Next, add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything until it’s well combined.
4. Combining Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet banana mixture while stirring. Be sure not to overmix; just stir until everything is combined and no dry flour patches remain.
5. Creating the Cinnamon Swirl:
In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and softened butter to create the cinnamon swirl mixture. Mix well until it’s smooth and creamy.
6. Layering the Batter:
Pour half of the banana bread batter into your prepared loaf pan. Then, sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture on top. Carefully pour the remaining banana batter over this, and finally, swirl in the rest of the cinnamon mixture on top with a knife for that delicious swirl effect.
7. Baking to Perfection:
Place your loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you find it’s browning too fast on top, lightly cover it with aluminum foil.
8. Cooling Down:
Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into delicious pieces.
Enjoy your scrumptious Brown Butter Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread warm or at room temperature!
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen bananas work great in banana bread. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight or microwave them in short intervals until they’re soft. Make sure to drain any excess liquid before mashing, as too much moisture can affect the texture of the bread.
What Can I Substitute for Brown Sugar?
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use granulated sugar instead. For that caramel-like flavor, mix in a little molasses (about 1 tablespoon per cup of sugar). Honey or maple syrup can also work, though you may need to adjust the dry ingredients slightly to maintain the right batter consistency.
How Should I Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store any leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to a week. You can also freeze slices for up to 3 months—just let them thaw before enjoying!
Can I Add Nuts or Chocolate Chips?
Definitely! Feel free to fold in about 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips into the batter for an extra delicious twist. Just be sure not to overmix, as you want to keep the bread light and fluffy!
