Description
Delight in this moist and flavorful Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread, featuring ripe bananas, a creamy cheese layer, and a rich cinnamon sugar swirl that creates a beautiful marbled effect. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, this easy-to-make loaf combines sweet and tangy flavors with a tender crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Cinnamon Swirl
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Banana Batter: In a large bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas and melted butter. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Add Sugar, Egg, and Vanilla: Stir in the granulated sugar, large egg, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, creating a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add baking soda and a pinch of salt to the batter, then gently fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and flour until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar and ground cinnamon thoroughly.
- Layer Batter and Swirls: Pour half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly. Layer half of the cream cheese mixture on top and gently swirl it with a knife or skewer.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining banana batter, cream cheese mixture, and cinnamon sugar.
- Create Swirled Pattern: Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together, forming an attractive marbled effect throughout the batter.
- Bake: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve once cooled.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter to ensure a tender crumb.
- The cream cheese layer adds a rich, tangy contrast to the sweet banana bread.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana bread, cream cheese swirl, cinnamon swirl, breakfast bread, marbled banana bread, sweet bread, homemade banana bread
