Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable)

Moist banana bread with creamy filling and aromatic cinnamon sugar layers

# 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing 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 ingredient mixture into banana mixture until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
06 - Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl.
07 - Pour half of banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
08 - Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining banana bread batter, smooth surface, and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs acceptable.
10 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The cream cheese layer adds richness without making the bread heavy or overly sweet.
  • It uses up those spotty bananas you keep meaning to deal with and turns them into something guests will rave about.
  • The cinnamon swirl on top bakes into a slightly crisp, sugary crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft crumb.
  • It tastes even better the next day when the flavors have melded together overnight in the fridge.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't soft enough, you'll end up with lumps that won't blend out, so leave it on the counter for at least an hour before starting.
  • Don't skip lining the pan with parchment; even greased pans can hold onto the cream cheese layer and make a mess when you try to remove the loaf.
  • The top might crack a little as it bakes, and that's completely normal; it doesn't affect flavor or texture at all.
03 -
  • If you don't have parchment paper, you can dust the greased pan lightly with flour and cocoa powder mixed together for easy release and a hint of color.
  • For an extra layer of flavor, brush the top with melted butter as soon as it comes out of the oven and sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon sugar while it's still tacky.
  • Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic and foil; they thaw in about an hour on the counter or 20 seconds in the microwave for an instant treat.
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