Moist Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe

Fluffy Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe That’s Simply Divine

Soft, moist banana bread takes on a delightful twist with this cream cheese banana bread recipe that promises pure comfort in every slice.

The creamy tangy notes of cream cheese blend seamlessly with ripe bananas, creating a rich and decadent treat.

Overripe bananas become the secret weapon in this bakery-style creation, ensuring maximum flavor and moisture.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle tanginess that sets this bread apart from traditional recipes.

The simple ingredients come together effortlessly, making this a foolproof baking experience for novice and experienced bakers alike.

Warm from the oven or enjoyed with a morning coffee, this banana bread will become your new favorite go-to dessert.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and transform your kitchen into a haven of delicious aromas.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 11

Cream Cheese Banana Bread Ingredient Rundown

For Base Ingredients:
  • Bananas: Provide natural sweetness and moisture, choose ripe bananas with brown spots for deeper flavor.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create tender texture, use unsalted for better control of saltiness.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Balance sweetness and create caramel-like undertones, brown sugar adds deeper flavor profile.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure, use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, choose pure vanilla for best taste.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates bread's foundation, sift to prevent lumps and ensure smooth batter.
  • Baking Soda: Helps bread rise and creates light texture, ensure it's fresh for maximum effectiveness.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
  • Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic notes, ground cinnamon works best for smooth integration.
For Cream Cheese Layer:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides creamy, tangy contrast, use full-fat version for richest texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens cream cheese layer, mix thoroughly for smooth consistency.
  • Egg: Helps stabilize cream cheese mixture, room temperature egg blends more easily.
  • Vanilla Extract: Complements cream cheese's tanginess, enhances overall flavor profile.

Tools To Bake Cream Cheese Banana Bread With Ease

  • Loaf Pan: 9×5-inch baking vessel for creating the perfect bread shape.
  • Large Mixing Bowls: Three separate bowls for combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
  • Whisk: Essential for smoothly blending dry ingredients and beating cream cheese mixture.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient portioning.
  • Spatula: Helps spread batter evenly and scrape bowl sides.
  • Electric Mixer: Useful for beating cream cheese mixture to smooth consistency.
  • Toothpick: Crucial for checking bread doneness.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows bread to cool evenly after baking.
  • Aluminum Foil: Optional for preventing over-browning during baking.

Steps To Prepare Cream Cheese Banana Bread Right

  • Oven Warmup

Crank up the oven to a cozy 350 degrees. Grab a loaf pan and give it a quick spray or parchment paper hug to prevent sticking.

  • Banana Magic

Smash those ripe bananas into a silky smooth dream. Splash in melted butter and sugars, creating a golden mixture. Crack in some eggs and a splash of vanilla, mixing until everything plays nicely together. Gently fold in flour, baking soda, and a whisper of cinnamon until just combined.

  • Creamy Cloud Layer

Whip cream cheese into a dreamy, velvety texture. Mix in sugar, an egg, and vanilla until it becomes a luscious, smooth blanket.

  • Layered Treasure

Pour half the banana batter into the pan like a golden river. Carefully spread the cream cheese layer across the surface. Crown it with the remaining banana batter, making sure to cover every inch of the creamy surprise underneath.

  • Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into the oven and let magic happen for about 50-60 minutes. Keep an eye out – if the top starts looking too bronzed, drape some foil over it like a protective shield.

  • Cooling Moment

Give the bread a quick 10-minute rest in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack. Patience is key – let it cool completely before slicing into this decadent treat.

Mix-Ins That Pair With Cream Cheese Banana Bread

  • Cream Cheese Swirl Secrets: Pro Tips for Banana Bread Perfection
  • Banana Ripeness Magic: Use overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and deeper flavor. Extremely ripe bananas provide more natural sugars and create a more moist, tender bread.
  • Cream Cheese Smoothness Trick: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing to prevent lumps and create a silky-smooth swirl layer that blends perfectly throughout the bread.
  • Storage Wisdom: Wrap the cooled banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It stays fresh at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerated for up to a week. For longer preservation, freeze slices for up to 3 months.
  • Diet-Friendly Adaptations: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version. Replace sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a lower-glycemic option. Use dairy-free cream cheese for a vegan-friendly alternative that maintains the creamy texture.

Ways To Slice And Serve Cream Cheese Banana Bread

  • Cozy Breakfast Companion: Slice this rich banana bread and pair it with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea for a comforting morning treat.
  • Decadent Dessert Twist: Warm each slice and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for an indulgent after-dinner delight.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Create elegant appetizer-style bites by cutting the bread into small squares and serving on a decorative platter with fresh berries and whipped cream.
  • Gifting Delight: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a rustic twine for a homemade gift that spreads warmth and love to friends and family.

Storage Help For Cream Cheese Banana Bread

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the banana bread in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap each slice separately for quick grab-and-go snacking or pack lunch treats.
  • Quick Freezing Technique: Slice the bread completely, then place parchment paper between each slice. Pack in a freezer-safe container or sealed bag, which allows freezing for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture restoration.
  • Room Temperature Freshness Hack: Keep the unsliced bread wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place on a cool kitchen counter away from direct sunlight to maintain moisture and softness.
  • Moisture Maintenance Method: Before storing, ensure the banana bread has cooled completely to prevent condensation. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out and preserve its delicate cream cheese swirl texture.
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Moist Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe

Moist Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe


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4.6 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Creamy cream cheese banana bread emerges as a delightful twist on classic banana bread. Rich flavors and moist texture combine to create a memorable homemade treat you’ll savor with each delectable slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 to 3 ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed / 240 ml)
  • 1.75 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 cup (115 g / 115 ml) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 0.25 cup (55 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 0.25 cup (50 g) granulated sugar (for cream cheese layer)
  • 0.5 tsp vanilla extract (for cream cheese layer)
  • 1 large egg (for cream cheese layer)

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C) and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or butter for effortless release.
  2. Banana Base Creation: Pulverize ripe bananas into a creamy pulp. Merge melted butter, white and brown sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture transforms into a homogeneous liquid with silky consistency.
  3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Delicately incorporate these powdery elements into the banana mixture, stirring minimally to preserve a tender, delicate texture.
  4. Cream Cheese Infusion: Whisk cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until achieving a luxuriously smooth, lump-free mixture.
  5. Layering Technique: Pour half the banana batter into the prepared pan. Strategically spread the cream cheese mixture across this initial layer, ensuring uniform distribution.
  6. Final Assembly: Elegantly cloak the cream cheese layer with remaining banana batter, creating a harmonious flavor landscape.
  7. Baking Ritual: Position the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, tenting with aluminum foil if the surface browns too aggressively.
  8. Cooling Sequence: Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Let the bread settle completely before slicing to maintain its structural integrity.

Notes

  • Select Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Use overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and intense banana flavor, ensuring a moist and rich bread texture.
  • Minimize Mixing Technique: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to prevent gluten development, which keeps the bread tender and prevents a tough, dense result.
  • Control Cream Cheese Distribution: Spread cream cheese mixture carefully to create beautiful marbled layers, avoiding complete mixing to maintain distinct flavor pockets.
  • Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check bread around 50-minute mark with a toothpick test, as oven temperatures vary; cover with foil if top browns too quickly to prevent burning while ensuring even internal cooking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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