Cream Cheese Cinnamon Banana Bread (Print Version)

Moist banana bread with cream cheese filling and cinnamon swirl—soft, aromatic, and perfectly sweet for any occasion.

# What to Use:

→ Banana Bread

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Cream Cheese Filling

10 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1 large egg
13 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Cinnamon Sugar Swirl

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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients into banana mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
06 - In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
07 - Pour half of banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
08 - Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining banana bread batter and smooth surface. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs remaining.
10 - Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every slice reveals a creamy surprise in the center that makes it taste more indulgent than any bakery version.
  • It turns overripe bananas into something so special you'll start hoarding brown-spotted fruit on purpose.
  • The cinnamon swirl on top bakes into a sweet, crackly crust that's the first thing everyone fights over.
  • It's easy enough for a lazy Sunday but impressive enough to wrap up and gift without explanation.
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese will not blend smoothly no matter how long you beat it, so leave it on the counter for at least an hour before starting.
  • Overmixing the banana batter creates tough, dense bread, so fold just until the flour disappears and stop immediately.
  • If the top starts browning too fast, tent a piece of foil loosely over the pan for the last 15 minutes of baking.
03 -
  • Freeze overripe bananas in their peels and thaw them when you're ready to bake, they'll be even sweeter and easier to mash.
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices for clean, bakery-perfect cuts every time.
  • Double the cream cheese filling if you want an extra-thick layer, just add five more minutes to the baking time.
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