Description
This Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist, flavorful twist on classic banana bread. Featuring a luscious cream cheese filling and a cinnamon-sugar swirl, it combines sweet and tangy flavors with a tender crumb, perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
Cinnamon Swirl
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 3–4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, mashed bananas, and sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, blend the softened cream cheese, egg, sugar, and flour until smooth and creamy, ensuring no lumps are left.
- Prepare Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon evenly to create the cinnamon swirl.
- Layer the Batter and Fillings: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter and gently spread it evenly. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon swirl mixture over the cream cheese layer. Next, pour the remaining banana bread batter on top and smooth gently. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Using a knife, swirl the batter lightly to create a marbled effect.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- This banana bread stays moist for several days when stored in an airtight container.
- It freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature before serving.
- For added texture and flavor, fold in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter before baking.
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best sweetness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast or Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
