Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable)

Moist banana bread layered with creamy cheese filling and aromatic cinnamon sugar swirl.

# What You’ll 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, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients into banana mixture until just combined. Do not 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 ground cinnamon.
07 - Pour half of banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter.
08 - Top with remaining banana bread batter and smooth the surface. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs.
10 - Let loaf 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 creates pockets of tangy sweetness that balance the banana perfectly.
  • It stays incredibly moist for days, so you can bake it ahead without worrying it will dry out.
  • The cinnamon sugar swirl on top bakes into a lightly crunchy crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft crumb.
  • It looks impressive enough for company but comes together with basic pantry staples.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, microwave it in five second bursts until it's spreadable but not melted.
  • Don't skip the parchment paper overhang, it's the only way to get a clean release without the loaf falling apart.
  • Overmixing the batter after adding flour will make the bread tough and dense, fold just until combined.
  • Check the loaf at 50 minutes, ovens vary and overbaking will dry out the edges even if the center stays moist.
03 -
  • Use bananas that are deeply speckled or even turning black, they have the most concentrated sweetness and moisture.
  • Let the loaf cool completely before slicing or the cream cheese layer will smear and the slices won't hold their shape.
  • If the top starts browning too fast, tent the pan loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  • Freeze individual slices wrapped in parchment and foil, then thaw them in the fridge overnight for easy single servings.
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