Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread Recipe

If you’re craving a banana bread with a luscious twist, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread. Imagine tender banana cake with a rich, tangy stripe of cream cheese running through every slice—this is cozy home baking at its best, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread comes together with just a handful of ingredients, but each one plays an essential role—bringing out either flavor, velvety moisture, or that beautiful, golden hue.

• Bananas: Super ripe bananas are the secret to a soft crumb and natural sweetness—don’t be shy about brown spots!
• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar enriches the flavor and keeps things moist, while white sugar adds lightness and structure.
• Coconut Oil: Keeps the bread extra moist and adds a subtle flavor—though you can swap for canola or vegetable oil in a pinch.
• Sour Cream: It’s the unsung hero here, making every bite rich and melt-in-your-mouth tender (Greek yogurt also works great).
• Egg: Binds everything together and gives the bread stability for that tall, domed loaf.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the perfect canvas for banana and cream cheese magic.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The duo that helps your loaf rise high and stay wonderfully fluffy.
• Salt (optional): Just a pinch balances the sweetness and deepens the banana flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Never forget—a splash of vanilla pulls the flavors together beautifully.
• Cream Cheese: Brick-style and softened, so the filling blends up creamy-dreamy (lite is perfectly fine for a lighter touch).
• Extra Egg & Granulated Sugar (for filling): The egg gives structure, while sugar ensures the tangy filling stays just sweet enough.
• All-Purpose Flour (for filling): Just enough to thicken the cream cheese so it bakes up like a cheesecake swirl—no runny mess!

Variations

One of the best things about Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread is just how flexible it is—you can tweak it for your preferences or use up whatever you have on hand. Here are some irresistible ways to put your own spin on this classic!

• Add Chocolate Chips: A generous handful of mini chocolate chips in the batter (or sprinkled over the top) turns this into a chocolate-lover’s dream.
• Go Nutty: Chopped walnuts or pecans folded into the batter—or even pressed into the top—add crunch and warmth that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese filling.
• Use Brown Butter: Swap the coconut oil for brown butter to add an even deeper, toasty flavor base.
• Make it Gluten-Free: Substitute a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and you’re all set for GF guests.

How to Make Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and get your loaf pan ready. A spritz of floured cooking spray or a quick grease-and-flour combo ensures your banana bread slips out like a dream—no sticking, no stress!

Step 2: Mix the Banana Bread Batter

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, both sugars, coconut oil, sour cream, and vanilla. When it’s smooth, stir in your mashed bananas—don’t worry about a few small banana chunks, they just make the bread even better! Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until just combined. Be gentle—overmixing can make the loaf tough.

Step 3: Layer the Batter and Make the Filling

Pour about two-thirds of the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth it into the corners. Next, whip up your cream cheese filling by whisking together softened cream cheese, an egg, sugar, and flour until totally smooth. Gently pour this layer over the banana bread batter, spreading to the edges for a perfect ribbon of creamy goodness.

Step 4: Add the Final Batter Layer

Dollop the remaining banana bread batter over the top, smoothing it very gently so you don’t disturb the cream cheese layer. Tuck the batter into the corners for a nice, even loaf. Patience here pays off with a distinct, gorgeous cream cheese swirl in the center of each slice!

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your loaf into the oven and bake for 48–50 minutes. Keep an eye on it; if the top browns too quickly, tent the pan loosely with foil around the 30-minute mark. You’ll know it’s done when the top is golden and a toothpick (inserted away from the cream cheese layer) comes out mostly clean, just a few moist crumbs clinging.

Step 6: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy

Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Waiting is tough, but it pays off—a cooled loaf slices cleanly, with that iconic cream cheese layer intact. Now pour yourself a coffee, slice a generous piece, and experience banana bread bliss!

How to Serve Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread

Garnishes

Enhance your Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of honey, or a swipe of cinnamon butter while it’s still warm. A sprinkle of chopped toasted nuts on top before baking also adds a lovely extra crunch and pretty finish.

Side Dishes

This bread shines alongside a mug of bold coffee or sweet chai tea. For brunch, pair it with fresh berries or a citrus fruit salad—the tartness balances the bread’s rich, creamy core beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Slices of Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread look gorgeous stacked on a rustic wooden board or arranged on a pretty platter with fresh fruit and edible flowers. For a special treat, cube the bread and use it in a dessert trifle layered with whipped cream and berries!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover banana bread tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. The cream cheese layer might make the bread a bit softer as it sits, but it’s still utterly delicious!

Freezing

Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread freezes like a dream! Once completely cooled, wrap the loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Pop them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

To bring out that just-baked taste, warm slices gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. The cream cheese filling becomes even creamier and the crumb tender and fluffy—so good!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to bring this Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread into your kitchen—each slice is pure comfort and a total showstopper. Give it a try and get ready to fall for a new favorite, whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just a bit of sweet self-care!

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