Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printer-Friendly)

Moist banana bread with creamy filling and cinnamon sugar layers

# What You Need:

→ 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 oz 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 Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving 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. Do not overmix.
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 cinnamon.
07 - Pour half of the 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 only a few moist crumbs.
10 - Let loaf cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cream cheese layer adds a tangy richness that makes this feel like dessert, not just breakfast bread.
  • It uses up overripe bananas without tasting like health food, every bite is moist and indulgent.
  • The cinnamon swirl on top caramelizes slightly in the oven, giving you a sweet, crispy crust.
  • It stays soft for days and actually tastes better the next morning with coffee.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, the filling will be lumpy and won't spread evenly, leave it out for at least an hour.
  • Don't open the oven door in the first 40 minutes or the loaf can sink in the middle from the temperature drop.
  • The top will brown faster than the inside cooks, if it's getting too dark, tent it loosely with foil halfway through.
03 -
  • Use a kitchen scale to measure your flour for the most consistent results, too much flour makes the bread dry.
  • Let your eggs and cream cheese sit out ahead of time so everything blends smoothly without overbeating.
  • Run your knife under hot water before slicing to get clean, bakery-style cuts through the cream cheese layer.
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