This Cream Cheese Banana Bread is soft, moist, and oh-so-yummy! It combines ripe bananas and creamy cheese to create a delightful treat that’s hard to resist.
Honestly, I can never eat just one slice! 🍞 It’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. I love to enjoy it warm with a touch of butter—absolute bliss!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ripe Bananas: The star of this recipe! Make sure they’re really ripe with brown spots. This sweetness is what makes the bread moist. If you don’t have bananas, you can use unsweetened applesauce, about 1 cup, but it will change the flavor a bit.
Cream Cheese: This ingredient is key for that soft texture and tangy flavor. If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt, but the creaminess might be slightly different.
Granulated Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is great, but if you’re looking for something healthier, you might try coconut sugar or brown sugar for extra moisture and flavor.
Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch to your banana bread. If you have nut allergies, feel free to skip them or substitute with chocolate chips for a sweet twist!
How Can You Make Sure Your Banana Bread is Extra Moist?
One of the secrets to achieving that moist, soft loaf is using overly ripe bananas. The browner, the better! But besides bananas, here are some tips:
- Don’t overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, stir just until combined. Overmixing can make the bread dense.
- Use cream cheese: This adds moisture and richness. Make sure it’s softened to blend easily with the butter and sugar.
- Check your oven: Ovens can vary a lot! Start checking the bread around 60 minutes and pull it out as soon as a toothpick comes out clean.
Letting the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes adds to the moisture, too. Enjoy your baking!
Delicious Cream Cheese Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and roughly 60-70 minutes to bake. After baking, allow for about 10 minutes to cool in the pan. In total, you’ll spend about 1.5 hours from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. If you prefer, you can also line it with parchment paper for easier removal later.
2. Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will help make your banana bread extra moist!
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, add in the vanilla extract and mix it all together until smooth.
4. Incorporate the Bananas:
Now it’s time to add in those mashed bananas. Stir them in until they’re well combined with your mixture. This is where all that delicious banana flavor comes from!
5. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix—this will help keep your banana bread light and fluffy!
7. Fold in the Nuts:
If you’re using nuts, gently fold them into the batter now. This adds a lovely crunch to your banana bread.
8. Bake the Loaf:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Place it in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center—if it comes out clean, your bread is ready!
9. Cool and Slice:
Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This cooling time is essential for keeping it moist!
10. Enjoy!
Your Cream Cheese Banana Bread is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it warm or at room temperature, and don’t forget to share (if you want to!).
Happy baking! Enjoy every bite of your moist and soft cream cheese banana bread!
FAQ About Cream Cheese Banana Bread
Can I Use Frozen Bananas for This Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas will actually make your bread even more moist and flavorful!
How Can I Make This Banana Bread Healthier?
You can substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour for added fiber. Additionally, consider using less sugar or substituting it with honey or maple syrup; just adjust the liquid slightly to compensate.
Can I Add Other Mix-ins to the Bread?
Definitely! Chocolate chips, dried fruits, or even spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can be fantastic additions. Just make sure that the total mix-ins aren’t more than about 1 cup to maintain the right texture.
How Should I Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw it overnight in the fridge and warm in the microwave or oven!