If you are looking for a dessert that’s irresistibly moist, packed with rich flavor, and just a little bit special, the Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe will soon become your new favorite. Combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the creamy tang of softened cream cheese, this banana bread elevates a classic treat into something delightfully indulgent. Every bite offers a tender crumb with a subtle cinnamon warmth and a hint of vanilla, making it a perfect companion to your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient works harmoniously to create a bread that is chewy yet soft, sweet but balanced, with a lovely nutty crunch if you choose to add nuts. Here’s everything you’ll need to make this scrumptious loaf.
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of the bread, providing structure.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bread rise and become fluffy.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors perfectly.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth and spice.
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and tenderness.
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened): The star ingredient that makes this banana bread irresistibly creamy.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread just right without overpowering.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a lovely aromatic hint.
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed): The natural sweetness and moisture that defines banana bread.
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional): For that delightful crunch and extra nuttiness.
How to Make Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This ensures your loaf bakes evenly and won’t stick when it’s time to enjoy.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This combination creates the perfect balance of texture and flavor that carries through every slice.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. This step is crucial for the luscious texture that defines this recipe, ensuring the bread stays tender and moist.
Step 4: Add Sugar and Eggs
Beat the sugar into the creamy mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. Then, add in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated. This helps the bread rise and gives it a wonderful crumb.
Step 5: Stir in Vanilla and Bananas
Mix in the vanilla extract, followed by the mashed bananas. The bananas bring natural sweetness and moisture that complement the tangy cream cheese beautifully.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make the bread tough, so keep it gentle here!
Step 7: Add Nuts and Bake
Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans if you’re using them, then pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
While the bread is delightful on its own, feel free to add a dusting of powdered sugar, a thin drizzle of honey, or even a slather of softened butter or cream cheese frosting. These small touches can make each slice feel like a special treat.
Side Dishes
This banana bread pairs perfectly with a hot cup of coffee, black tea, or a creamy latte. For a more filling snack or breakfast, add fresh fruit like berries or a dollop of yogurt alongside it for a burst of freshness.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the loaf into generous pieces and serve it with a side of whipped cream or mascarpone. You can also transform leftovers into delicious banana bread French toast for a weekend brunch that everyone will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This helps it retain its moisture and freshness.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy this Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe later, freeze it! Wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. It will keep for up to three months and thaw beautifully when you’re ready.
Reheating
For the best experience, reheat slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave until warm. This helps revive that soft, creamy texture that makes this bread so special.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
While low-fat cream cheese can be used, it may affect the bread’s richness and moisture. Full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture and flavor.
What if I don’t have ripe bananas?
Very ripe bananas with brown spots are ideal because they’re sweeter and softer, ensuring a moist bread. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, you can bake them at 300°F for 15 minutes to soften and sweeten them.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?
You could substitute both butter and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives, but the texture and taste may vary slightly. Look for plant-based cream cheese and butter for the closest match.
Is it necessary to add nuts to the recipe?
Nope! Nuts add a lovely crunch and flavor, but the bread tastes amazing even without them, making it great for those with nut allergies or preferences.
How long does the cream cheese banana bread last?
Stored properly at room temperature, it lasts about 3 days; refrigerated, it can last a week. Always wrap it well to keep it from drying out.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a banana bread recipe that brings something new and exciting to the table, this Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe is sure to delight. It’s rich, moist, and filled with flavor that feels both comforting and a bit indulgent. Bake it for your family, share it with friends, or keep it all to yourself – either way, you’re in for a delicious treat that’s always worth savoring.
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Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Cream Cheese Banana Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread that combines ripe bananas with creamy cream cheese for a rich texture and delicious taste. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, it features a subtle hint of cinnamon and optional crunchy nuts for added delight.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
Optional Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined.
- Cream butter and cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy, creating a light base for the batter.
- Add sugar and eggs: Add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture and beat until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Flavor the batter: Mix in the vanilla extract, followed by stirring in the mashed ripe bananas until completely combined for that signature banana bread flavor.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated to avoid overmixing and keep the bread tender.
- Add nuts (optional): Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter for extra texture.
- Pour and smooth batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula to ensure even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For extra banana flavor, use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
- You can add chocolate chips for a sweeter variation.
- Try a cinnamon sugar topping before baking for added texture and flavor.
