Ultimate Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe
This Ultimate Banana Bread recipe features a moist and flavorful banana bread with a rich cream cheese filling swirl, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. The combination of ripe bananas, sour cream, and a creamy filling makes it irresistibly delicious and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Banana Bread Batter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat The Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Make The Banana Bread Batter: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes using a mixer. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Mix in the vanilla extract. Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid tough bread.
- Prepare The Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Assemble The Bread: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Gently spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the batter. Pour the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer and smooth the top.
- Bake: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for about 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This helps the filling set and improves texture.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender.
- You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Use a toothpick to test doneness to avoid under- or over-baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
