Snickerdoodle Banana Bread (Moist + Cinnamon Sugar Swirl, Crunchy Cinnamon Crust)

ByAchraf

This Snickerdoodle Banana Bread is classic banana bread with a snickerdoodle-style upgrade: warm cinnamon spice, a thick cinnamon-sugar swirl, and a cinnamon-sugar coated pan that bakes into a lightly crunchy, sweet crust. It’s fluffy, moist, and totally fall-worthy but honestly perfect any time you’ve got ripe bananas.

Moist Coffee Cake Banana Bread Recipe 2
Snickerdoodle Banana Bread (Moist + Cinnamon Sugar Swirl, Crunchy Cinnamon Crust) 2

Why You’ll Love It

  • Moist and fluffy (Greek yogurt + ripe bananas = perfect crumb)
  • Cinnamon sugar swirl in every slice
  • Cinnamon-sugar “crust” around the loaf (the best part!)
  • Simple pantry ingredients, no fancy steps

Ingredients

For the Loaf

  • Butter, for greasing the loaf pan
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided (golden sugar or regular granulated sugar)
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat or non-fat)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan with butter.
  2. Make cinnamon sugar: Mix 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tsp cinnamon.
  3. Coat the pan: Sprinkle a few tablespoons of cinnamon sugar inside the pan (bottom + sides). Set aside.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk bananas + melted butter. Whisk in remaining 3/4 cup sugar, eggs, Greek yogurt, and vanilla.
  5. Mix dry ingredients: In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Combine: Fold dry into wet just until combined (don’t overmix).
  7. Layer + swirl:
    • Pour half the batter into the pan
    • Sprinkle half of the remaining cinnamon sugar
    • Add the rest of the batter
    • Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top
      (Optional: use a knife to make 2–3 gentle swirls for more defined ribbons.)
  8. Bake about 60 minutes, until a knife/toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool before slicing.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Swirl + Texture

  • Use super ripe bananas (soft + brown-speckled) for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Don’t over-swirl or the cinnamon sugar will disappear into the batter.
  • If the top browns early, tent with foil around the 40–45 minute mark.
  • Let it cool before slicing—warm banana bread can seem underbaked until it sets.