If banana bread had a glamorous cousin, this Iced Cinnabon Banana Bread would be it. Imagine all the cozy comfort of homemade banana bread, now upgraded with swirls of cinnamon-sugar and topped with a luscious powdered sugar glaze. This recipe is the perfect balance of sweet banana goodness and warm spice — a dessert-meets-breakfast situation that feels like a hug from the inside out.
In Black culinary culture, banana bread often makes its appearance at family gatherings, church bake sales, or as that “I had extra bananas” creation. But this version? It takes it up several notches. The cinnamon swirl is a nod to those mall Cinnabons that had us all walking past Auntie Anne’s without a second glance, and the icing? Well, that’s just pure indulgence.
Ingredients (What You Need)
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (or 2 if that’s all you have)
- 1 cup (1 stick) melted butter
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1–2 tsp cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Mash the Bananas
Peel and mash the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until smooth. A few small lumps are fine — they add texture to the bread.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
Add melted butter, white sugar, brown sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well incorporated.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Bring the Batter Together
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
6. Prepare Cinnamon-Sugar Swirl
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for that irresistible swirl.
7. Layer and Swirl
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan, sprinkle with half the cinnamon-sugar, then add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon-sugar. Use a toothpick to create swirls throughout.
8. Bake
Bake for 45–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Make the Glaze
While the bread cools slightly, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Adjust the milk for your preferred consistency.
10. Ice and Serve
Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread. Slice, serve, and enjoy the magic.
Pro Tips
This Iced Cinnabon Banana Bread is proof that banana bread doesn’t have to be basic. The cinnamon-sugar swirl adds warmth and depth, while the glaze makes it feel bakery-special. It’s the kind of recipe that works just as well for a Sunday brunch as it does for an after-dinner treat.
Pro Tips:
- Banana Ripeness: The spottier the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
- Cinnamon Levels: Love that cinnamon roll flavor? Go heavy on the cinnamon in the swirl.
- Icing Variation: Swap milk for heavy cream or cream cheese for a richer topping.
About the Creator
This recipe is brought to you by Jas Renee, a vibrant home cook and content creator known for her creative spins on everyday meals. With over 106K Instagram followers, Jas has built a community around her fun, relatable cooking style and irresistible comfort food recipes. She’s also the author of We Got Food at Home Cookbook, inspiring home cooks to make magic with what’s already in their kitchen.
Follow her on Instagram at @jasrenee___ and watch the original reel for this recipe here: Iced Cinnabon Banana Bread Reel. You can also catch more of her recipes and cooking videos on TikTok: CookingWithJassRenee.