This brown butter banana bread with cinnamon frosting is a rich, warmly spiced twist on the classic quick bread. The nutty depth of brown butter paired with the tangy sweetness of cinnamon cream cheese frosting transforms a familiar favorite into a truly indulgent, bakery-style treat. Moist, flavorful, and beautifully aromatic, it’s the perfect slice for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy afternoon break.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This banana bread is elevated by the complex flavor of brown butter, which adds a toasted, caramel-like note that pairs beautifully with ripe bananas and warm cinnamon. Greek yogurt keeps the crumb tender and moist, while the cinnamon-spiced frosting adds a luscious, creamy topping that takes the loaf to another level. It’s a perfect make-ahead bake for gatherings, gifts, or your own personal indulgence.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Banana Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Cinnamon Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, brown sugar, eggs, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and the cooled brown butter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Once the banana bread has cooled completely, spread the frosting over the top. Slice and serve.
Servings and timing
Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Calories per serving: 320 kcal
Variations
- Nutty addition: Fold chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for crunch.
- Chocolate version: Add dark chocolate chips for a banana-chocolate twist.
- Spiced upgrade: Increase the cinnamon and add nutmeg or cardamom for deeper spice.
- Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Maple frosting: Substitute some powdered sugar with maple syrup and reduce the butter for a maple twist.
storage/reheating
Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving. To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, thaw them first and drain any excess liquid before mashing.
What is brown butter and why use it?
Brown butter is butter that’s cooked until the milk solids toast, giving it a nutty, rich flavor that enhances baked goods.
Can I make this recipe without the frosting?
Absolutely. The banana bread is delicious on its own, though the frosting adds an indulgent finish.
Can I make this in a muffin tin?
Yes, divide the batter into muffin cups and reduce the baking time to about 18–22 minutes.
What type of cream cheese works best?
Use full-fat block-style cream cheese for the best texture and flavor in the frosting.
How do I know when the banana bread is done?
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use plant-based butter and yogurt, and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting.
What’s the best way to mash bananas?
Use a fork or potato masher for best texture. Avoid using a blender, which can make them too watery.
Can I add a streusel topping?
Yes, but skip the frosting or use a thinner glaze to avoid overloading the loaf.
Does the frosting need to be refrigerated?
Yes, cream cheese frosting should be stored in the refrigerator if not serving immediately.
Conclusion
Brown Butter Banana Bread with Cinnamon Frosting is an elevated take on a beloved classic. With its moist crumb, warm spices, and nutty depth from browned butter, it’s a comforting and sophisticated bake that’s sure to impress. Topped with a cloud of cinnamon cream cheese frosting, it transforms simple ingredients into a loaf that’s perfect for celebrations, gifting, or everyday indulgence.
PrintBrown Butter Banana Bread with Cinnamon Frosting
This ultra-moist banana bread is elevated with rich, nutty brown butter and topped with a fluffy cinnamon-spiced frosting. Perfectly sweet and warmly spiced, it’s a bakery-worthy treat for any time of day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 slices 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Banana Bread:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Cinnamon Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, brown sugar, eggs, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and the cooled brown butter.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- To Make the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Spread over cooled banana bread and slice to serve.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor.
- Store frosted banana bread in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Let the bread cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg