Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable)

Soft banana bread with creamy cheese filling and aromatic cinnamon swirl layers

# 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 ounces 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, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground 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 - In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
07 - Pour half the banana batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth surface. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter.
08 - Add remaining banana batter over cream cheese layer and smooth the surface. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar on top.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs.
10 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack. Cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like a cinnamon roll and banana bread had the most delicious baby.
  • The cream cheese layer adds richness without feeling heavy or too sweet.
  • You can mix it by hand in under twenty minutes, no fancy equipment needed.
  • It makes your kitchen smell like a cozy weekend morning even on a Tuesday.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, it will stay lumpy no matter how long you beat it.
  • Don't skip the parchment paper overhang or you'll be prying the loaf out with a butter knife and swearing.
  • Overmixing the banana batter makes the bread dense and gummy instead of light and tender.
  • The toothpick test is key—if it comes out wet with batter, give it another five minutes, but a few crumbs are perfect.
03 -
  • Use bananas that are so ripe they're almost black—they mash easier and taste sweeter.
  • Let the loaf cool completely before slicing or the cream cheese layer will ooze out and make a mess.
  • If the top starts browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  • For cleaner slices, wipe your knife with a damp towel between cuts.
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