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One-Bowl Brown Butter Banana Bread Recipe with Cream Cheese Swirl

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A cozy and easy banana bread recipe featuring nutty brown butter and a creamy, tangy cream cheese swirl, perfect for quiet mornings or lazy afternoons.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, browned and cooled slightly
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar (can reduce to 2/3 cup for less sweet)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream or whole milk (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter: In a small skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir constantly as it foams and then starts to brown, about 5–7 minutes, until you smell a nutty aroma and see brown flecks. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line with parchment paper.
  3. Mash Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with some chunks.
  4. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add browned butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir gently to combine until rich and glossy.
  5. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold into wet mixture just until combined; avoid overmixing.
  6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: Beat softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream (if using) until smooth and creamy.
  7. Layer Batter and Swirl: Pour half the banana batter into the loaf pan. Dollop half the cream cheese mixture over it. Add remaining banana batter on top. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter, creating visible ribbons.
  8. Bake: Bake for 55–65 minutes, checking at 55 minutes with a toothpick. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
  9. Cool & Rest: Let bread cool in pan for at least 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack before slicing.

Notes

Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning for best flavor. Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender. Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth mixing. Check baking progress early and tent with foil if browning too fast. Let bread cool before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, cream cheese swirl, easy banana bread, one-bowl recipe, cozy baking, quick banana bread

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/one-bowl-brown-butter-banana-bread-recipe-with-cream-cheese-swirl-easy-and-cozy/