Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread Recipe

When banana bread meets a creamy, tangy layer of cream cheese filling, magic happens. This Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread is the ultimate comfort bake, combining moist banana bread with a luscious swirl of cream cheese for a decadent, dessert-worthy treat. It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as a showstopper addition to your next brunch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Decadent Cream Cheese Filling: The velvety cream cheese layer elevates traditional banana bread to a whole new level of indulgence.
2. Moist and Flavorful: Bananas, butter, and brown sugar ensure every bite is rich and tender.
3. Easy to Make: A few simple steps and everyday ingredients come together to create this bakery-style masterpiece.
4. Versatile: Ideal for family gatherings, holiday treats, or an indulgent snack.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

1. Preheat the Oven
   • Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Loaf Pan
   • Line the loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, or grease with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Make the Banana Bread Batter

1. Mash the Bananas
   • In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
2. Mix the Wet Ingredients
   • Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until fully combined.
3. Combine the Dry Ingredients
   • In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
4. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the bread tender.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling

1. Mix the Ingredients
   • In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Banana Bread

1. Layer the Batter
   • Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
2. Add the Cream Cheese Filling
   • Spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter, ensuring an even layer.
3. Top with Remaining Batter
   • Carefully spread the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer.

Step 5: Bake

1. Bake to Perfection
   • Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (excluding any cream cheese).
2. Cool the Bread
   • Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Success

1. Use Overripe Bananas
   • The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients
   • Ensure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
3. Don’t Overmix
   • Stir the batter until just combined to avoid a dense loaf.
4. Check for Doneness
   • Be mindful of the cream cheese layer when testing with a toothpick—it may remain slightly wet even when done.

Variations

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

• Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the banana bread batter for extra sweetness.

Nutty Delight

• Fold in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.

Streusel Topping

• Sprinkle the top with a simple streusel made from 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 2 tablespoons cold butter mixed together for a crumbly finish.

Gluten-Free Version

• Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Serving Suggestions

• Warm with Butter: Slice and enjoy warm with a pat of butter.
• With Coffee or Tea: Pair with your morning cup for a delightful breakfast.
• As a Dessert: Drizzle with a touch of caramel or chocolate sauce for a decadent treat.

Why This Recipe Works

This Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread takes a beloved classic to the next level with its rich, creamy filling. The moist, banana-infused bread perfectly complements the tangy sweetness of the cream cheese layer, creating a balanced and indulgent flavor profile. Simple yet impressive, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Yield: 10

Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread Recipe

Print

When banana bread meets a creamy, tangy layer of cream cheese filling, magic happens. This Cream Cheese Filled Banana Bread is the ultimate comfort bake, combining moist banana bread with a luscious swirl of cream cheese for a decadent, dessert-worthy treat. It’s perfect for breakfast, snack time, or as a showstopper addition to your next brunch.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Banana Bread:
• 2–3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• For the Cream Cheese Filling:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
   
2. Step 2: Prepare the Banana Bread Batter
   In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
   Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
   Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and stir.
   Gradually add the flour, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
   
3. Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
   In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth.
   Add the sugar, egg, and flour. Beat until fully combined and creamy.
   
4. Step 4: Assemble the Bread
   Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
   Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter, gently spreading it out to create an even layer.
   Top with the remaining banana bread batter, smoothing it out to cover the cream cheese layer completely.
   
5. Step 5: Bake
   Bake in the preheated oven for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread (avoiding the cream cheese layer) comes out clean.
   If the bread begins to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil after 40 minutes.
   
6. Step 6: Cool
   Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes.
   Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

• Freezing: Wrap slices individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Tips: For best results, use very ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots) for maximum sweetness and flavor.