Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9 × 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to make the bread easier to remove.
Step 2: Make the Banana Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar.
Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Stir just until combined. Don’t overmix.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Beat the softened cream cheese with the sugar until smooth.
Add the egg, vanilla, and flour.
Beat until creamy and completely combined.
Step 4: Layer the Bread
Pour about half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Spread the cream cheese mixture carefully over the center, keeping it slightly away from the edges.
Pour the remaining banana batter over the cream cheese layer and gently smooth the top.
For the beautiful banana look on top, slice one additional banana lengthwise and carefully place it on the surface before baking.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for approximately 55–70 minutes, depending on your oven and the size of the loaf pan.
The top should be deeply golden, and a toothpick inserted into the banana-bread portion should come out mostly clean. Avoid inserting it directly into the cream cheese center.
If the top begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the loaf with foil during the final part of baking.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15–20 minutes.
Then carefully lift it out using the parchment paper and place it on a cooling rack.
For the cleanest slices and firmest cream cheese center, refrigerate the cooled loaf for at least 1–2 hours before slicing.
Step 7: Slice and Serve
Use a sharp knife to cut thick slices.
The moment you cut through it, you’ll see that beautiful layer of creamy cheesecake filling running through the middle of the moist banana bread.
The combination of ripe bananas, buttery cake, warm cinnamon, and rich cream cheese makes this almost impossible to resist.
And if you take it to a potluck, be prepared—you may have just volunteered yourself to make it for every future gathering!
One loaf is never enough. Save this recipe and enjoy every slice! 🍌🍞🤍
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