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
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 loaf pan or line with parchment.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
Step 3: Mash Bananas
- In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork until smooth.
Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients
- Add melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Whisk until combined.
Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until just combined (don’t overmix).
Step 6: Layer and Swirl
- Pour half the banana batter into loaf pan.
- Dollop cream cheese mixture on top. Swirl with a knife.
- Add remaining banana batter. Swirl again.
Step 7: Bake
- Bake 50-60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- 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.
