This Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread offers a delightful twist on a classic treat. The combination of moist banana bread with a rich, creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese creates a deliciously decadent loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil (canola or vegetable oil may be substituted)
- ¼ cup sour cream (lite or Greek yogurt may be substituted)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt, optional
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 1 large egg
- 4 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened (lite is okay)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare the Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan. Set aside.
2. Make the Banana Bread Batter:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, coconut oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the mashed bananas and stir to incorporate.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and optional salt. Gently fold with a spatula or stir with a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix. Set aside.
3. Assemble the Bread:
- Pour about two-thirds of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top lightly with a spatula, ensuring it reaches the corners and sides.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
- In another large bowl, whisk together the egg, softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and flour until smooth and well combined. Alternatively, use a hand mixer.
5. Layer the Filling:
- Evenly pour the cream cheese filling over the banana bread batter in the pan. Smooth the top lightly with a spatula, ensuring it reaches the corners and sides.
- Top with the remaining banana bread batter, smoothing the top very lightly with a spatula to avoid disturbing the cream cheese layer. Ensure the batter reaches the corners and sides.
6. Bake the Bread:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 48 to 50 minutes, or until the top is domed and golden, and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (note that the cream cheese layer may remain slightly soft, so the toothpick test may not be completely accurate).
7. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Description and Tips
Tips for Success:
- Banana Ripeness: Ensure your bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Mixing: Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread tender. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Layering: Be careful when layering the batter and filling to maintain distinct layers for a beautiful cross-section.
- Baking Time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the bread towards the end of the baking time. The top should be golden and a toothpick should come out mostly clean.
- Cooling: Allow the bread to cool completely to make slicing easier and to set the cream cheese filling properly.
Enjoy this delightful bread warm or at room temperature, and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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