Description
This Cream Cheese Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful twist on classic banana bread, incorporating a creamy layer of smooth cream cheese for added richness. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, it combines ripe bananas, tangy sour cream, and a hint of vanilla with a soft, golden crumb and a luscious cream cheese swirl.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, sour cream, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir well until smooth and fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined. Do not overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Beat cream cheese: In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy to create the cream cheese layer.
- Assemble the bread layers: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Then dollop the beaten cream cheese evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining banana bread batter on top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter for a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve as is or with butter for a delicious treat.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Room temperature cream cheese mixes better and results in a smoother swirl.
- Check the bread at 55 minutes to avoid overbaking, as oven temperatures vary.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freeze slices individually wrapped for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
