Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Print version)

Moist banana bread with cream cheese filling and cinnamon sugar swirl. Soft, aromatic slices perfect for any time of day.

# What You'll 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 oz 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, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large 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, cinnamon, and salt.
04 - Gently fold dry ingredients 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 the 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 the surface, and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs remaining.
10 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It turns everyday banana bread into something that feels bakery worthy without any fussy techniques.
  • The cream cheese layer stays soft and tangy, cutting through the sweetness in the best way.
  • You get that gorgeous swirl when you slice it, which makes every piece feel like a little gift.
  • It tastes incredible warm, cold, or even toasted with a smear of butter the next day.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, you'll get lumps in the filling that won't smooth out no matter how much you beat it.
  • Don't skip the parchment overhang—it's the easiest way to get the loaf out without it breaking apart.
  • Check the bread at 50 minutes because ovens vary, and overbaking will dry it out even with all that banana moisture.
03 -
  • Use bananas that are almost black for the deepest flavor and natural sweetness—don't throw them out just because they look past their prime.
  • Let the cream cheese and eggs sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before mixing so everything blends smoothly without lumps.
  • Run your knife under hot water and wipe it dry between slices for clean, bakery-style cuts that show off the swirl.
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