Description
Creamy cream cheese banana bread elevates classic comfort with a luxurious twist, promising rich flavor in every slice. Moist crumb and tangy cream cheese swirls make this quick bread a delightful companion for morning coffee or afternoon treats you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Banana Bread
Main Ingredients:
- 2 3 ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed / 240 ml)
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (115 g / 115 ml) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
Sweeteners and Sugars:
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (55 g) brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for cream cheese layer)
Flavor Enhancers and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for cream cheese layer)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 large egg (for cream cheese layer)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by warming the oven to 350F (175C). Create a non-stick surface in a 9×5-inch loaf pan using butter or parchment paper.
- Transform ripe bananas into a silky smooth consistency by mashing thoroughly. Incorporate melted butter, both white and brown sugars, blending seamlessly with eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture achieves a uniform texture.
- Craft the dry foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon in a separate vessel. Gently fold these powdery ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender crumb.
- Whip the cream cheese mixture to a velvety consistency, combining cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until perfectly smooth and free of lumps.
- Construct the bread’s architecture by layering half the banana batter into the prepared pan. Delicately spread the cream cheese mixture across this first layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Complete the layering by covering the cream cheese with remaining banana batter, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Slide the pan into the preheated oven, allowing the bread to transform for 50-60 minutes. Monitor the surface, draping aluminum foil loosely if browning occurs too rapidly.
- After baking, grant the bread a brief 10-minute rest in the pan before transferring to a cooling rack. Permit complete cooling before slicing to preserve the bread’s delicate structure.
Notes
- Elevate the texture by using overripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor profile.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense bread by gently folding ingredients until just combined.
- Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring same measurements and consistency.
- Reduce sugar content by using natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup for a healthier alternative without compromising moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 201
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 43 mg