1. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Banana Bread Batter
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the mashed bananas, melted butter, and sugar until well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the banana mixture and mix until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble the Bread
- Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter layer and spread it evenly.
- Pour the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer and spread it evenly, ensuring the cream cheese filling is completely covered.
5. Bake the Bread
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
6. Serve and Enjoy
- Once cooled, slice the Cream Cheese Banana Bread and serve. Enjoy it as a delicious breakfast treat, snack, or dessert.
Tips for Perfect Banana Bread
- Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth filling.
- Do Not Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid a dense loaf.
Variations to Try
- Nutty Banana Bread: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the banana bread batter for a crunchy texture.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the banana bread batter for a chocolaty twist.
- Cinnamon Swirl: Add a cinnamon-sugar swirl by sprinkling a mixture of cinnamon and sugar between the layers of batter and cream cheese filling.
Conclusion
Cream Cheese Banana Bread is a delightful and easy-to-make treat that combines the best of banana bread and creamy cheesecake flavors. It’s perfect for any occasion and is sure to be a hit with family and friends.
Key Takeaway
The secret to perfect Cream Cheese Banana Bread lies in the balance of moist banana bread and the creamy, tangy cream cheese filling. By following this guide, you’ll achieve a delicious and impressive loaf every time.
We hope you found this guide helpful and inspiring. Enjoy your Cream Cheese Banana Bread!