Banana Cream Cheese Bread

 Banana Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

Yield: One 9x5-inch loaf (about 10 slices)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 48-50 minutes
Total Time: About 90 minutes (including cooling)

Ingredients

Bread

• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup liquid coconut oil (can substitute canola or vegetable oil)
• 1/4 cup sour cream (lite is okay; Greek yogurt can be substituted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 large egg
• 4 ounces softened cream cheese (lite is okay)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray or grease and flour it. Set aside.

2. Make Bread Batter:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, coconut oil, sour cream, and vanilla.
   • Stir in the mashed bananas.
   • Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and optional salt. Fold gently until just combined; do not overmix.

3. Prepare Pan:

   • Pour about two-thirds of the batter into the prepared pan. Smooth the top with a spatula and ensure it reaches the corners.

4. Make Cream Cheese Filling:

   • In another bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, egg, granulated sugar, and flour until smooth.

5. Layer Cream Cheese Filling:

   • Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bread batter in the pan. Smooth the top gently.

6. Add Remaining Batter:

   • Top with the remaining batter, smoothing it lightly without disturbing the cream cheese layer.

7. Bake:

   • Bake for 48-50 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If it browns too quickly, tent with foil after 30 minutes.

8. Cool:

   • Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

9. Serve:

   • Optionally serve with honey butter, cinnamon-sugar butter, or any other flavored butter.

Storage: Bread can be stored airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.