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Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Moist banana bread slice with creamy swirl on rustic wooden cutting board

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This is a classic banana bread swirled with a dreamy, tangy ribbon of cream cheese. It offers the perfect contrast of moist, spiced crumb and a rich, creamy center. It’s an easy, impressive treat that tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Banana Bread Batter:
  • 3 very ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
  • 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, slightly cooled
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • For the Cream Cheese Ribbon:
  • 8 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides.
  2. Make the cream cheese filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 1/4 cup sugar, egg yolk, and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Beat until combined and smooth. Set aside.
  3. Make the banana bread batter: In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Whisk in melted butter, 3/4 cup sugar, the whole egg, and 1 tsp vanilla.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture until just combined.
  5. Layer and swirl: Pour about two-thirds of the banana batter into the prepared pan. Spoon all of the cream cheese mixture over the center, leaving a small border. Dollop the remaining banana batter on top.
  6. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together with 4-5 figure-eight motions for a marbled effect.
  7. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the top is golden brown, edges pull away, and a toothpick inserted into the banana bread portion comes out clean.
  8. Cool the loaf in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, use the parchment to lift it out and let it cool completely on the rack before slicing.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix the batter. Let the bread cool completely so the cream cheese layer sets for clean slices. Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for 1-2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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