Description
This easy banana bread recipe uses granulated sugar instead of brown sugar, yielding a light, tender crumb with a cardamom cream cheese swirl for added moisture and flavor. Perfect for using up overripe bananas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 large ripe bananas (approx. 450g)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
- 150g granulated sugar (for batter)
- 1 tsp baking soda (5g)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt (2.5g)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil (120mL)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (for batter)
- 4 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened (115g)
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for swirl)
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ tsp ground cardamom (2g)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (for swirl)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Prepare Banana Batter: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas. Whisk in the 150g granulated sugar, eggs, oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Form the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp sugar, egg yolk, cardamom, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Whisk until completely smooth and creamy. Reserve 1-2 tablespoons for garnish if desired.
- Layer and Swirl: Pour about half of the banana bread batter into the prepared pan. Add dollops of half the cream cheese swirl mixture on top. Use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter and cream cheese mixture on top.
- Bake and Cool: Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center (avoiding cream cheese pockets) comes out with moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes. Cool the loaf in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Use very ripe, spotty bananas for natural sweetness and moisture. Ensure cream cheese and eggs are at room temperature for a lump-free swirl and better batter consistency. Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Banana Bread, Cream Cheese Swirl, No Brown Sugar, Cardamom, Quick Bread, Baking, Dessert, Breakfast