Description
Indulgent cream cheese banana bread blends creamy richness with sweet banana comfort. Moist crumb and delicate flavor invite you to savor each delightful slice, making this classic treat a perfect companion for morning coffee or afternoon relaxation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a light coating of grease.
- Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl, whisking until evenly blended.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a fluffy texture.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Fold in mashed bananas and sour cream, stirring until the ingredients create a smooth, consistent batter.
- Prepare the cream cheese separately, beating it until it reaches a silky and uniform consistency.
- Transfer half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan, creating an even base layer.
- Gently spread the beaten cream cheese across the initial batter layer, ensuring a relatively uniform distribution.
- Carefully pour the remaining banana batter over the cream cheese, covering it completely and creating a marbled effect.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the bread is fully cooked.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
- Carefully transfer the banana bread to a wire rack, allowing it to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Select ripe, spotty bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor, which naturally enhances the bread’s moisture and taste.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to create smoother, more evenly mixed batter that promotes consistent texture and rise.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for richer, creamier swirls that provide luxurious texture and prevent dry spots in the banana bread.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the bread’s soft, tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 192 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg