Cream Cheese Banana Bread – light, moist and delicious!

### Instructions

#### 1. **Prepare the Oven and Pan**
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

#### 2. **Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese**
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and well combined. Use an electric mixer or a stand mixer for best results. The mixture should be light and creamy, with no lumps.

#### 3. **Add Sugar and Eggs**
Add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, and beat until fluffy. Next, add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth and creamy.

#### 4. **Add the Mashed Bananas and Vanilla**
Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. The ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, so make sure they’re well mashed for an even texture. The mixture should be rich and fragrant at this point.

#### 5. **Combine the Dry Ingredients**
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Adding cinnamon gives the banana bread an extra layer of warmth and flavor, but it’s optional based on your preference.

#### 6. **Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients**
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently with a spatula or spoon. Be careful not to overmix—mix just until the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to dense bread, so stop as soon as there are no visible streaks of flour.

#### 7. **Add Sour Cream (Optional)**
For extra moisture and a slightly tangy flavor, you can add 1/2 cup of sour cream or buttermilk to the batter. This step is optional but highly recommended if you want the bread to be especially soft and tender.

#### 8. **Pour the Batter into the Pan**
Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly with a spatula. Smooth the top of the batter so it bakes evenly.

#### 9. **Bake the Bread**
Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. If the bread begins to brown too much on top before it’s fully baked, tent it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

#### 10. **Cool and Serve**
Once the bread is done baking, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slicing the bread too soon may cause it to be too soft, so let it set for a bit to firm up.

### Tips for Perfect Cream Cheese Banana Bread

– **Use Ripe Bananas**: The key to great banana bread is using ripe bananas. Overripe bananas (with lots of brown spots) are ideal because they’re naturally sweet and will provide the perfect flavor and moisture for the bread.
– **Room Temperature Ingredients**: For a smooth, lump-free batter, make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature before mixing.
– **Don’t Overmix**: Overmixing the batter can make the bread dense and heavy. Stir the ingredients just until combined to keep the bread light and fluffy.
– **Try Different Mix-ins**: You can customize this banana bread by adding chocolate chips, nuts (like walnuts or pecans), or even dried fruit to the batter for added texture and flavor.
– **Store Properly**: Banana bread stays moist for several days. Store it wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze slices for up to 3 months.

### Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– **Moist and Fluffy**: The addition of cream cheese ensures this banana bread remains incredibly moist without being overly heavy.
– **Perfect Texture**: The combination of butter, cream cheese, and ripe bananas results in a soft, fluffy crumb with just the right amount of sweetness.
– **Versatile**: Whether you enjoy it as a breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or dessert, this banana bread is perfect for any time of day.
– **Simple to Make**: This recipe uses everyday ingredients and requires just one bowl for mixing, making it both easy and convenient.

### Conclusion

**Cream Cheese Banana Bread** is the ultimate banana bread recipe, combining the rich, tangy flavor of cream cheese with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. The result is a light, moist, and utterly delicious loaf that’s perfect for sharing or enjoying all on your own. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting started, this recipe is simple to follow and yields incredible results every time.

So, grab your ripe bananas, soften that cream cheese, and get ready to bake the most scrumptious banana bread you’ve ever tasted!