Maple Cinnamon Banana Bread

Start your day with the warm, buttery aroma of maple and cinnamon mingling with caramelized bananas — a scent that wafts through the kitchen and settles right into your shoulders, telling you that everything is going to be okay. Each slice is tender and moist, with a tight crumb that yields to a slightly crisp, golden crust. The first bite delivers soft banana, a whisper of cinnamon, and the gentle smokiness of pure maple syrup; the texture is plush and comforting, dotted with tiny pockets where melted butter and maple have pooled.

This Maple Cinnamon Banana Bread is perfect for cozy weekend breakfasts, a tray to bring to book club or potlucks, or as an afternoon treat with coffee. It’s forgiving to make, ideal for using up brown, spotty bananas, and flexible enough to be dressed up for guests or kept simple for a quiet morning. If you love the idea of baking something that smells like nostalgia and serves like a hug, this loaf is for you.

For a peek at living-room styling inspiration that matches the warm, bright feeling this bread brings to a Sunday morning, check out this idea for a bright modern living room with white couches and a TV wall: bright modern living room inspiration.

Dish Snapshot

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55–65 minutes
• Total Time: 70–80 minutes (including cooling)
• Servings: 10–12 slices (one 9×5-inch loaf)
• Difficulty Level: Easy — great for beginner to intermediate bakers

Nutrition Highlights

Nutrition estimates are per 1 slice (assuming 12 slices per loaf). Values were calculated using ingredient nutrient profiles from USDA FoodData Central and referenced against guidance from the Mayo Clinic for portion and macronutrient context.

• Calories: ~300 kcal
• Protein: ~5 g
• Carbohydrates: ~45 g
• Dietary Fiber: ~3 g
• Total Sugars: ~23 g (includes natural sugars from bananas and added maple/brown sugar)
• Total Fat: ~12 g
• Saturated Fat: ~6 g
• Sodium: ~220 mg

Notes: Nutrition is an estimate and will vary with exact ingredients and portion size. For a lower-calorie loaf, reduce added sugar, swap some butter for unsweetened applesauce, or slice more thinly. For specific health concerns, consult trusted sources such as the CDC or Mayo Clinic.

Why You’ll Love It

• Aroma & Comfort: The smell of maple, butter, and warm banana is irresistible and instantaneously cozy.
• Easy & Resourceful: Uses overripe bananas that might otherwise be tossed — a sustainable, no-waste bake.
• Crowd-Friendly: Slices well for casual brunches, bake sales, or to tuck into lunchboxes.
• Flexible: Sweet enough to be dessert but balanced enough for breakfast with yogurt or cheese.
• Seasonal Warmth: Cinnamon and maple give this loaf an autumnal feel, but it’s welcome any time of year.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled (substitute: coconut oil or vegan butter)
• 1/2 cup (100 g) light brown sugar, packed (substitute: coconut sugar)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (substitute: 2 flax eggs for vegan)
• 3 very ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed, ~360 g peeled)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) plain yogurt or buttermilk (substitute: non-dairy yogurt or milk)
• Optional mix-ins: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips, or 1/3 cup raisins

Optional ingredients & substitutions

• For gluten-free: use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if blend doesn’t contain it.
• For a lighter fat profile: replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce.
• For extra maple flavor: drizzle 1 tbsp maple syrup over the warm loaf after baking.

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in mashed bananas, vanilla, and yogurt until combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold gently until just combined — small streaks of flour are okay. Avoid overmixing to keep the crumb tender.
5. Fold in optional mix-ins if using. Scrape batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 35–40 minutes.
7. Cool the loaf in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then use the parchment overhang to lift it onto a wire rack. Let cool at least 30 minutes before slicing to set the crumb.

Practical tips

• Use very ripe bananas (the more speckles, the better) for the best banana flavor and natural sweetness.
• Don’t overmix — fold just until the dry streaks disappear to avoid a dense loaf.
• Toothpick test: aim for a few moist crumbs, not completely dry — that keeps slices tender and moist.

For helpful ideas on pairing the visual brightness of a living space with your baking routine, see these thoughts on light drapery and room mood: bright modern living room drape ideas.

Best Pairings

• Simple: Thick slab with room-temperature butter or a smear of cream cheese.
• Breakfast: Serve with Greek yogurt and a handful of fresh berries.
• Coffee & Tea: Pairs beautifully with medium-roast coffee, chai, or a maple latte.
• Dessert: Warm a slice and top with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of salted caramel.
• Snack Box: Pack cooled slices with nuts for an energy-boosting afternoon treat.

Shelf Life & Storage

• Room temperature: Store wrapped tightly at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep away from direct sun or heat.
• Refrigeration: Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 5–7 days. Bring to room temperature or warm gently before serving.
• Freezer: Wrap slices individually in plastic, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or warm from frozen in a low oven.

Pro Tips & Tricks

• Bananas: The riper the bananas, the more pronounced the flavor and sweetness — brown-speckled or almost-black peels are ideal.
• Moisture balance: If using add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, toss them in a tablespoon of flour to prevent sinking.
• Even baking: If your oven runs hot, rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
• Crust control: Tent with foil if the top becomes too dark with 20 minutes left.
• Scaling: To double the recipe, bake in two loaf pans rather than one large pan to maintain proper bake time.

Creative Twists

1. Walnut-Maple Crunch: Add 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts and sprinkle a few on top before baking for a nutty crunch.
2. Blueberry-Maple Swirl: Fold in 3/4 cup fresh blueberries and swirl 2 tbsp blueberry jam into the top of the batter before baking.
3. Vegan & Gluten-Free: Use 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water), replace butter with coconut oil, and use a 1:1 GF flour blend for a plant-based, gluten-free loaf.
4. Cream Cheese Marble: Drop 1/2 cup sweetened cream cheese dollops on top of batter and swirl with a knife for a rich, tangy ribbon.

Recipe Q&A

Q: Can I use frozen bananas?
A: Yes — thaw and drain excess liquid, then mash well before adding. Be aware frozen bananas can add extra moisture; reduce yogurt/milk slightly if batter seems very wet.

Q: My loaf is dense — what went wrong?
A: Likely overmixing the batter or using bananas that weren’t ripe enough. Also, check that your baking soda is fresh; expired leavening gives poor rise.

Q: Can I halve the recipe?
A: Yes — bake in a smaller loaf pan (8×4-inch) and start checking doneness at 40–50 minutes.

Q: How can I reduce sugar without losing flavor?
A: Reduce brown sugar by 1/4 cup and compensate with an extra tablespoon of maple syrup; the bananas add natural sweetness too.

Q: Best way to rewarm slices?
A: Microwave for 10–15 seconds or warm in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 6–8 minutes for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.

Conclusion

This Maple Cinnamon Banana Bread is a small ritual: it fills the kitchen with comforting aroma, uses humble ingredients, and rewards patience with tender, flavorful slices. It’s an approachable bake that’s perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself — let it become the centerpiece of your next cozy morning or casual gathering.

For a parallel in how thoughtful design and warm details transform a space the way this bread transforms a morning, consider exploring the welcoming features of the Horizon floor plan to inspire cozy living spaces: Horizon floor plan features. For reflections on living simply with bright, white spaces that echo the calm this bread brings, read this thoughtful piece on living with white walls: what I learned from living with all-white walls.

If you bake this loaf, I’d love to hear how it turned out — share your photos and variations in the comments so we can build a warm little community of home bakers.