Cinnamon Banana Bread

This week I'm making a warm, cozy spin on the household classic, banana bread. Keep reading to learn how to make it :)

Accidentally allowing your produce to become overripe is easily one of the most disappointing things ever, especially in this economy. Bananas are an exception though! As a baker, an overripe banana is just a creative opportunity. So, when I saw that the bananas I bought last week were nearly black, I knew I had to make some yummy bread with them! As the seasons change, I'm really into warm and spicy flavors, so I also incorporated a cinnamon swirl for a new, delicious take on this staple recipe!

Here's a video of the process if you'd like to follow along!

Cinnamon Banana Bread

Ingredients

Banana Bread:

• ¾ cup browned butter, cooled to room temperature*

• ½ cup white sugar

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 4-5 overripe bananas, mashed

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 cups all purpose flour

Cinnamon Swirl:

• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

• ¾ cup light brown sugar

• 2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 ½ Tbsp all purpose flour

• pinch of salt

*Browning the butter beforehand is optional. If you'd rather not, then just using ¾ cups softened unsalted butter will work just as well!

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together butter and sugars.

3. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth.

4. Next, mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.

5. Whisk in cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

6. Add the flour last, folding it into the wet ingredients gently until just combined.

7. For the cinnamon swirl, combine all the ingredients until a thick paste forms.

8. Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan. Add half of the cinnamon swirl in dollops. Swirl the cinnamon paste into the batter with a knife or chopstick. Pour in the rest of the batter into the pan. Add the rest of cinnamon swirl mixture to the top and swirl with a knife again.

9. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.

10. Allow the bread to cool and enjoy!