Description
Chocolate Banana Bread Bliss takes the comforting classic banana bread and elevates it with creamy swirls of cream cheese and a hint of chocolate indulgence. Moist, tender, and perfect for any time of day, this is the ultimate treat for banana bread lovers who want a little extra flair.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
- ¼ cup sour cream
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray. - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. - Incorporate Eggs and Bananas:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, mashed bananas, and sour cream until smooth. - Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. - Prepare Cream Cheese Layer:
In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the Bread:
Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter in an even layer. Top with the remaining batter, spreading to cover the cream cheese layer completely. - Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil during the last 15-20 minutes. - Cool and Slice:
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve once fully cooled.
Notes
- Use Overripe Bananas: The sweeter and more ripe your bananas, the better the flavor.
- Layer Evenly: Spread the cream cheese layer carefully to ensure an even swirl in every slice.
- Cool Completely: Let the bread cool fully before slicing for the best texture and presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American