Description
This Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Banana Bread combines ripe bananas, a rich cream cheese filling, and a cinnamon sugar swirl for a moist, flavorful loaf. The perfect balance of sweet and spice, this recipe is ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a comforting snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
- Mash the Bananas: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they are mostly smooth.
- Add the Bananas to the Wet Ingredients: Stir the mashed bananas into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until well combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Make the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate small bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract and egg yolk until well combined.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Layer the Batter, Cinnamon Swirl, and Cream Cheese Filling: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture evenly over the batter. Then, dollop half of the cream cheese filling over the cinnamon swirl.
- Repeat the Layers: Pour the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese filling. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon swirl mixture over the batter, and dollop the remaining cream cheese filling on top.
- Swirl the Cream Cheese: Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese filling into the batter.
- Bake the Banana Bread: Bake for 55-70 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool the Banana Bread: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Once the banana bread is completely cool, slice and serve.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- The cream cheese filling adds moisture and richness, but can be omitted for a simpler banana bread.
- Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
