This creamy banana bread is packed with delicious bananas and smooth cream cheese. It’s rich, moist, and will make your taste buds dance with joy!
Whenever I bake this, the wonderful smell fills my kitchen. I can never resist sneaking a warm slice right out of the oven—so good! 🍌❤️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your banana bread. For a gluten-free option, consider using a gluten-free all-purpose blend. I love the texture that regular flour gives, but it’s nice to have alternatives!
Bananas: Ripe bananas are essential for sweetness and moisture. If you have frozen bananas, just thaw and mash them. They work perfectly too! No need to waste overripe bananas; use them in this recipe!
Cream Cheese: This adds a wonderful richness to the bread. If you’re watching calories, you could use reduced-fat cream cheese. However, I definitely prefer the full flavor that regular cream cheese brings!
Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: Both add moisture and tang. Greek yogurt is a great substitute if you want more protein. I like to use sour cream for a slightly richer flavor.
How Do I Ensure My Banana Bread Is Moist and Not Overmixed?
The key to soft and moist banana bread is in the mixing. Overmixing can lead to dense bread, but it’s easy to avoid! Here are the steps:
- Mix the wet ingredients together until just combined, including the mashed bananas.
- Add the dry ingredients and stir gently. Stop when you no longer see dry flour—it’s okay if there are a few lumps.
- If you’re adding nuts, fold them in gently at the end!
This method helps to keep the bread light and fluffy, allowing the cream cheese to work its melty magic!
Cream Cheese Banana Bread That Melts in Your Mouth
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
How Much Time Will You Need?
This mouthwatering banana bread will take about 15 minutes to prepare and approximately 60-70 minutes to bake. After baking, allow it to cool for 10 minutes before enjoying it warm or at room temperature. In total, you’re looking at about 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, grab a 9×5 inch loaf pan and grease it well with butter or cooking spray, then dust it with flour to prevent sticking. This will help your banana bread come out perfectly!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour, helping your bread to rise beautifully.
3. Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This might take about 3-5 minutes. The air you incorporate here will make your bread nice and fluffy!
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The batter will start to look smooth and creamy at this point, which is perfect!
5. Incorporate the Bananas and Sour Cream:
Add the mashed bananas and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) to the mixture. Stir until fully combined; you want everything to be nicely blended together.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the banana mixture, stirring gently. Be careful not to overmix! You want just enough mixing to incorporate everything without making the bread dense.
7. Add Nuts (If Desired):
If you’re using chopped walnuts or pecans, fold them into the batter now for a delightful crunch!
8. Pour and Smooth:
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. This will help it bake evenly.
9. Bake:
Place your loaf pan in the preheated oven and let it bake for 60-70 minutes. Keep an eye on it! You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Cool and Slice:
Once baked, take the banana bread out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This waiting period ensures it firms up just right!
Now, enjoy your soft, moist, and creamy banana bread that literally melts in your mouth! Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert! 🍌❤️
FAQ About Cream Cheese Banana Bread
Can I Use Different Types of Flour?
Absolutely! While all-purpose flour gives the best results, you can substitute it with whole wheat flour for a healthier option. Just note that the texture may be a bit denser. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose blend!
What Should I Do if My Bananas Aren’t Ripe Enough?
If your bananas aren’t quite ripe, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a paper bag at room temperature. Alternatively, you can bake unpeeled bananas at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes until they are blackened. Let them cool before mashing!
How Can I Store Leftover Banana Bread?
Store any leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
Can I Add Other Ingredients to the Recipe?
Definitely! Feel free to add chocolate chips for a sweeter treat, dried fruits for more texture, or spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for extra flavor. Just keep in mind that adding too many mix-ins might affect the texture of the bread!
