Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

Introduction

Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a delightful twist on classic banana bread, featuring a rich, tangy cream cheese filling and a warm cinnamon swirl. This moist and flavorful loaf is perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a comforting dessert.

Ingredients

• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cream cheese filling)
• 1 large egg (for cream cheese filling)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for cream cheese filling)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon swirl)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon swirl)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. In a bowl, mash the bananas, then whisk in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.
3. Step 3: To make the cream cheese filling, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: For the cinnamon swirl, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
5. Step 5: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Spread the cream cheese filling gently on top, then add the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top of the batter. Use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter creating a marbled effect.
7. Step 7: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a little cream cheese residue is okay). Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moist texture.
• For extra richness, add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
• Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile.
• Try adding a teaspoon of orange zest to the cream cheese filling for a fresh twist.
• If you prefer a thicker cream cheese layer, double the filling ingredients.

Storage

Store the banana bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep it longer, freeze the sliced bread in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave or toaster oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, frozen bananas work well. Thaw and drain excess liquid before mashing to avoid a watery batter.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the butter with coconut oil and use dairy-free cream cheese to make this loaf dairy-free.

Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread Recipe

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This Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful twist on classic banana bread. It features ripe mashed bananas, a rich cream cheese filling, and a warm cinnamon-sugar swirl layered throughout, creating a delicious balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a comforting snack with coffee or tea.

• Author: Jeannette
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10–12 slices) 1x
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Banana Bread:

• 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Swirl:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Batter: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. In a bowl, mash the ripe bananas, then whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This filling will add a tangy richness to the bread.
3. Make the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon for the cinnamon swirl topping that will add a warm, sweet spice throughout the bread.
4. Layer the Banana Bread: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle half of the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the batter. Gently spread the cream cheese filling on top of the cinnamon layer. Add the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer. Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture on top, then use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cinnamon sugar into the batter for a beautiful marbled effect.
5. Bake & Cool: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs or a small amount of cream cheese on the toothpick is acceptable). Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing for best texture.

Notes

• Use very ripe bananas for maximum flavor and moisture.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
• You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
• Let the bread cool completely before slicing to ensure clean slices.
• Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
• This bread also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze up to 3 months.

Keywords: banana bread, cream cheese swirl, cinnamon swirl, easy banana bread, moist banana bread, breakfast bread, baked banana bread