Cream Cheese Banana Bread: Extra Moist. Extra Creamy. Extra Good.

Banana bread is a classic. Cream cheese makes it unforgettable.

Ripe bananas. A tangy, sweet cream cheese swirl running through the middle. So moist. So tender. One bowl. 10 minutes. Your new banana bread era starts now.

Ingredients

Makes 1 loaf (8-10 slices).

For the Banana Bread:

• 3 ripe bananas (spotty = best)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 loaf pan or line with parchment.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl

1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3: Mash Bananas

1. In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork until smooth.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

1. Add melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.

Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients

1. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined (don’t overmix).

Step 6: Layer and Swirl

1. Pour half the banana batter into loaf pan.
2. Dollop cream cheese mixture on top. Swirl with a knife.
3. Add remaining banana batter. Swirl again.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake 50-60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
2. Cool 15 minutes in pan, then transfer to wire rack.

Summary

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 50-60 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 slices)

Difficulty: Easy

Storage Notes

Room Temp:

Store wrapped tightly for 3 days.

Fridge:

Refrigerate for up to 1 week (cream cheese filling is perishable).

Freezer Friendly:

Freeze for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Pro Tip:

Spotty bananas = sweeter bread. Green bananas = sad bread. Be patient.