Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable Version)

Moist banana bread featuring a rich cream cheese filling and cinnamon swirl, ideal for any sweet moment. Soft, aromatic, delicious.

# Ingredient List:

→ Banana Bread Base

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Cream Cheese Filling

10 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
11 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 large egg
13 - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

14 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
15 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Mash bananas in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until combined.
03 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Fold dry ingredients into banana mixture until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to prevent dense texture.
05 - Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
06 - Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
07 - Spread half the banana batter evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
08 - Spread cream cheese filling over the batter layer, ensuring even coverage.
09 - Top with remaining banana batter and smooth surface. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
10 - Bake for 50-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with few moist crumbs.
11 - Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift loaf using parchment and transfer to wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of sweet banana bread and tangy cream cheese creates layers that keep you coming back for just one more slice
  • It makes the whole house smell like cinnamon and happiness which is basically free aromatherapy
02 -
  • The toothpick test is tricky here because the cream cheese layer stays moist longer than the bread so test slightly off center
  • If your loaf is browning too fast tent it with foil after 35 minutes while it finishes baking
03 -
  • Freeze wrapped slices for up to 3 months and thaw them overnight for emergency banana bread cravings
  • Use really ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for natural sweetness and intense banana flavor
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