Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray one 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, add the egg, sugars, coconut oil, sour cream, vanilla, and whisk to combine.

Step 3

Add the bananas and stir to incorporate.

Step 4

Add 1 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, optional salt, and fold with spatula or stir gently with a spoon until just combined; don’t overmix; set aside.

Step 5

Turn about two-thirds of the batter out into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary; set aside.

Step 6

In a large bowl, add all ingredients and whisk to combine. Alternatively, mix with a hand mixer.

Step 7

Evenly pour filling mixture over the bread, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula and pushing it into corners and sides as necessary.

Step 8

Top with remaining batter, smoothing the top very lightly with a spatula as to not disturb cream cheese layer and pushing batter into corners and sides as necessary.

Step 9

Bake for about 48 to 50 minutes or until the top is domed, golden, and the center is set, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Note this is tricky because the cream cheese never gets totally solid so the toothpick test isn’t the most accurate.*

Step 10

Allow bread to cool in pan for about 15 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Step 11

Bread will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.