Description
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread is a moist, tender loaf that combines ripe bananas, warm cinnamon spice, and a luscious cream cheese swirl for a perfect balance of flavors. Ideal for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this easy-to-make baked treat delivers a stunning marbled appearance and irresistible richness with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 3 ripe bananas (with brown spots), mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat preferred)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: Blend cream cheese with sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch (about 1 tablespoon) of flour until smooth and creamy. Set aside for swirling later.
- Mix the Banana Bread Batter: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add softened butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, then whisk until well combined. Gradually fold in the flour, baking soda, and salt, followed by the milk or buttermilk, until you achieve a smooth, thick batter.
- Layer and Swirl: Pour half of the banana bread batter into a prepared loaf pan. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter, then top with the remaining banana batter. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese and cinnamon filling into the banana batter to create a beautiful marbled effect.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the loaf at 350°F (175°C) for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Make sure eggs, butter, and cream cheese are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and avoid a dense crumb.
- Swirl the cream cheese gently to preserve distinct layers without overblending.
- Start checking the bread at 50 minutes to avoid overbaking since oven temperatures vary.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 loaf)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: banana bread, cream cheese swirl, cinnamon, baked treat, moist banana loaf, cinnamon swirl banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, gluten-free banana bread option
