
Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Layer brings together banana bread's homey taste with a delightful twist—a velvety cream cheese swirl nestled in the middle. This loaf stays super moist from the mashed overripe bananas and a bit of sour cream that keeps everything soft. The creamy, slightly tangy filling makes this treat perfect for your morning coffee, after-dinner sweet tooth, or anytime snack break.
INGREDIENTS- All-purpose flour: 1 1/2 cups, gives your bread its structure
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, enhances the sweet flavors
- Ground cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon, adds warmth
- Baking soda: 1 teaspoon, helps it rise
- Sour cream: 1/4 cup, keeps everything tender
- Ripe bananas, mashed: 3, for sweetness and moisture
- Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon, rounds out the flavor
- Eggs: 2 large, hold everything together
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup, for sweetness
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1/2 cup, makes it rich
- Cream cheese, softened: 4 ounces, creates the creamy middle
- Step 8:
- Let the bread sit in the pan for 10 minutes after baking, then move to a wire rack until fully cooled before you cut into it.
- Step 7:
- Pop it in the oven for 60-70 minutes, until you can stick a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean.
- Step 6:
- Spoon half your banana mix into the pan, spread your cream cheese layer on top, then pour the rest of the banana mix over everything.
- Step 5:
- Mix the softened cream cheese in a separate bowl until it's smooth.
- Step 4:
- Mix in the eggs one by one, beating well each time. Add the vanilla, then gently fold in your mashed bananas and sour cream.
- Step 3:
- Beat the soft butter and sugar in a big bowl until it's fluffy and lighter in color.
- Step 2:
- Mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
- Step 1:
- Get your oven hot at 350°F (175°C) and butter or spray your loaf pan.
- Serve with hot coffee or tea for the best morning or afternoon break.
- Keep your loaf in a sealed container at room temp for up to 3 days, or stick it in the fridge to last a week.
- You can make a simple icing to pour over the top after cooling for extra sweetness.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice to your cream cheese for more zing.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Martha Stewart says you must let the bread cool all the way before slicing so the cream cheese sets up right.
- Duff Goldman thinks the blackest, ripest bananas make the sweetest, most flavorful bread.
