Cream Cheese Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure your bread doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for giving your bread a soft, moist texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
Step 5: Mix in Bananas and Sour Cream
Fold in the mashed bananas and sour cream until everything is well combined. This will keep the bread incredibly moist.
Step 6: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling
In a separate small bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. This will be the rich, tangy layer inside your banana bread.
Step 7: Layer the Batter and Cream Cheese
Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top. Then, pour the remaining banana batter over the cream cheese layer.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking at the 60-minute mark to avoid overbaking.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy this delicious treat warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Ripen Bananas Faster: If your bananas aren’t ripe yet, you can bake them in the oven at 300°F for about 15 minutes until the skins darken and soften.
- Add a Crunch: For a bit of texture, fold in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Storage and Reheating:
- Store: Wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week in the fridge.
- Reheat: Warm slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs:
Can I freeze cream cheese banana bread?
Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight.
Can I substitute sour cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream for a healthier twist.
What can I do if I don’t have ripe bananas?
You can ripen bananas quickly by placing them in a 300°F oven for about 15 minutes.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Definitely! Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweeter, more indulgent bread.
How do I prevent the cream cheese layer from sinking?
Make sure your cream cheese is spread evenly and gently to avoid sinking, and the batter layers should be of similar consistency.
Enjoy every slice of this decadent, moist cream cheese banana bread!
