The Golden Loaf Ultimate Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
2. In a small bowl, thoroughly mash the bananas until mostly smooth. Set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in the mashed bananas until just combined.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the buttermilk until the batter is streak-free.
6. Prepare the swirl mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of flour. Pour in the melted butter and stir until a thick, sandy paste forms.
7. Layer the batter: Pour half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, and finish by spooning the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture over the top.
8. Create the swirl: Using a butter knife, gently cut through the batter in 2-3 back-and-forth 'S' patterns. Do not over-swirl.
9. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean (with moist crumbs attached is fine).
10. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.