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Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Cream Cheese Banana Bread is a rich, moist twist on classic banana bread, combining velvety cream cheese with sweet ripe bananas to create an irresistibly soft and flavorful loaf. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this easy recipe uses simple ingredients and offers versatile options for customizations including nutty, chocolate, gluten-free, and vegan adaptations.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 23 bananas)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
  • 3/4 cup sugar (can substitute brown sugar, coconut sugar, or honey)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or oil if preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans), chopped
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (dark or milk)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom (for spiced versions)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. Mash the ripe bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature for easy blending.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, melted butter (or oil), sugar, and eggs. Beat the mixture until smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract towards the end.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour (or gluten-free blend) and baking soda to distribute the leavening agent evenly.
  4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to keep the bread tender. Fold in the mashed bananas gently until the batter is uniform.
  5. Optional Add-ins: Fold in any optional nuts, chocolate chips, or spices carefully to evenly distribute without deflating the batter.
  6. Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at 50 minutes to prevent overbaking. Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing.

Notes

  • Use overripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Bring cream cheese, eggs, and butter to room temperature for smoother mixing.
  • Do not overmix after adding flour to avoid a dense crumb.
  • Test doneness starting at 50 minutes, as oven times may vary.
  • Cool bread before slicing to maintain firm slices and prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, cream cheese banana bread, moist banana bread, gluten-free banana bread, easy banana bread, homemade bread, breakfast bread, sweet bread