Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable version)

Soft banana bread swirled with sweet cream cheese filling and aromatic cinnamon sugar layers. Each slice is moist, tender, and utterly irresistible.

# 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 ounces 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 Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, allowing excess overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients into banana mixture until just combined, being careful not to 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 banana batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle with half of cinnamon sugar mixture.
08 - Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining banana batter and smooth the surface. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs.
10 - Allow loaf to 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 rich, tangy contrast that keeps every bite interesting and never one-note.
  • It looks impressive when you slice into it, like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • You can eat it for breakfast without guilt, then sneak another slice as dessert and feel completely justified.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't softened all the way, you'll end up with lumpy filling that won't spread evenly, so leave it out on the counter for at least an hour.
  • Don't overbake this or the cream cheese layer can crack and dry out; a few moist crumbs on the toothpick are your friend here.
  • Lining the pan with parchment paper isn't optional unless you enjoy chiseling baked goods out of metal corners.
03 -
  • Use bananas so ripe they're almost black; the darker they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
  • Let the loaf cool completely before slicing if you want picture-perfect pieces; cutting it warm makes the cream cheese ooze everywhere, which tastes amazing but looks messy.
  • If the top starts browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil halfway through baking to protect it while the center finishes cooking.
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