Cream Cheese Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread (Printable)

Moist banana bread swirled with creamy cheese filling and warm cinnamon sugar 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

# Steps:

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 fully incorporated.
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 to maintain tender crumb structure.
05 - Beat softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
06 - Combine 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
07 - Pour half the banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle with half the cinnamon sugar mixture.
08 - Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining banana bread batter, smooth surface, and sprinkle remaining cinnamon sugar.
09 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs remaining.
10 - Allow loaf to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Lift out using parchment overhang and transfer to wire rack for complete cooling before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The cream cheese layer stays creamy and tangy even after baking, cutting through the sweetness perfectly.
  • It looks impressive when you slice it, like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • One loaf works as breakfast, snack, and dessert without anyone complaining.
  • The cinnamon swirl gives you those bakery vibes without leaving your kitchen.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't fully softened, you'll fight lumps the whole way through, leave it out for at least 30 minutes.
  • Don't open the oven door in the first 40 minutes or the bread can sink in the middle from the temperature drop.
  • The toothpick test is your friend, but remember the cream cheese layer will always look a little wet, that's normal.
03 -
  • If the top starts browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil halfway through baking.
  • For an even distribution of cream cheese, use an offset spatula to spread it gently without disturbing the bottom layer.
  • Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic and foil, they thaw in minutes and taste freshly baked.
Go Back