Description
This Ultimate Cream Cheese Banana Bread is an irresistible twist on the classic banana bread! Featuring a rich, moist banana batter with a luscious cream cheese swirl, this loaf is soft, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Banana Bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
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Prepare the Banana Bread Batter:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate large bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs and vanilla, then stir in mashed bananas and sour cream.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
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Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
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Assemble the Bread:
- Pour half of the banana batter into the loaf pan.
- Spoon the cream cheese mixture over it and gently spread it.
- Add the remaining banana batter on top and smooth it out.
- Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the layers slightly.
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Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For extra texture, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips to the batter.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for the best taste!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American