Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Cream Cheese Banana Bread is a deliciously rich and moist twist on tradition

Ingredients:

For the Banana Bread:

• 2 to 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for added flavor)
• 1/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (optional, for added texture)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Prepare the Wet Ingredients:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and sugar until creamy and well-combined. This may take about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). This will ensure the leavening agents are evenly distributed.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense.
• Stir in the buttermilk (or milk mixture) to give the batter a smooth texture.
• If desired, fold in the chopped walnuts or chocolate chips at this point.

5. Bake the Banana Bread:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
• If the top of the bread is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until done.

6. Cool and Serve:

• Once baked, remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
• Slice and serve! This banana bread is delicious on its own or with a smear of butter or cream cheese.

Tips:

• Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be. Overripe bananas, with lots of brown spots, are perfect for this recipe.
• For Extra Moisture: If you want an even more decadent banana bread, you can add 1/4 cup sour cream to the batter in place of some of the buttermilk.
• Glaze Option: For an extra special touch, you can make a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a little milk or orange juice and drizzle it over the cooled bread.
• Storage: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. It can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months.

This Cream Cheese Banana Bread is rich, tender, and full of flavor, with a creamy texture that takes this classic banana bread to the next level. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or as a sweet afternoon treat!