***There seriously aren't very many things that smell better than Banana Nut Bread baking in the oven. Don't you agree? This recipe for Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread from Southern Living magazine was one of the very first recipes that I added to this blog...back in November 2007! In fact, I came across it when I worked for the magazine as a Marketing Intern. Back then, I didn't have a photo for every recipe, and the blog post was simply the recipe and nothing else. Because this is my go-to recipe for Banana Nut Bread (and because it is so amazing!), I thought that it deserved a little more attention.
This is quite honestly some of the best Banana Nut Bread that I've ever had. An entire 8oz. package of cream cheese is added right to the batter, along with 4 mashed bananas. The cream cheese adds so much to this recipe, with an incredibly moist texture being the main component. Plus, the roasted pecans are the perfect addition. Roasting the nuts brings out their natural oils and adds SO much flavor...Don't skip this step! To roast them, simply place the pecans on a cookie sheet in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly toasted. I usually add a sprinkling of pecans over the top of the batter before baking. Another trick is to leave a few small chunks of banana...I don't mash them up completely.
Another great thing about this recipe? It makes TWO loaves, so you can put one in the freezer for later or give it away to someone very lucky!
Bon Appetit!***
Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread
***Makes 2 loaves***
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1 cup roughly chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanillla. Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch loafpans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and sides pull away from pan, shielding with aluminum foil last 15 minutes to prevent browning, if necessary. (I found that after one hour, my banana bread wasn't completely cooked through. I ended up baking it for an extra 10-15 minutes.) Cool bread in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool 30 minutes on wire racks before slicing.
Source: Southern Living magazine
126 comments:
I just made these, except I wanted to make muffins, so I halved the recipe for 6 large muffins. The only addition: 1/4 t. cinnamon. Baking them for 25 minutes on 350. I'll let you know how they turn out!
found this on Pinterest, I love banana bread and cream cheese so this recipe sounds awesome!
Saw this on Pinterest and I'll be baking it tomorrow, cuz the bananas are ready. I let you know how it turns out. btw.....I was wondering about high altitude.
yummy recipe!!will be makin this wk..thx..
In the oven as I type. Only modification was substituting w/1 cup of whole wheat flour. I like the flavor ww flour gives my recipes. A slight sweetness and tends to be a bit lighter. Will let you know how it turns out in t-60 min (give or take) :)
In the oven as I type! Substituted w/one cup of whole wheat flour. I like the taste and lightness it gives my baking! Will let you know in t- 60 (give or take) how it comes out! :)
Made these tonight as muffins - delish!! I added a little bit of cinnamon and baked them for 24 minutes on 350. YUM!
Thanks to everyone for your comments!
Traci - I can't wait to hear how it comes out!
Vikki - I bet the cinnamon was the perfect addition!
Thank you Celeste for posting! Had a piece with my coffee this morning...warmned it up with a touch of butter and all I can say is...I'm glad I put the other loaf in the freezer for when family comes for Christmas! Deliciousness! Next time I will add the cinnamon like Vikki suggested, I think that will be a nice touch! Happy Holidays!
Thanks so much for this recipe, I also added cinnamon and it was amazing...the second time I added sour cream and the bread literally melted in my mouth :-) thanks again
Thanks so much for this recipe, I also added cinnamon and it was amazing...the second time I added sour cream and the bread literally melted in my mouth :-) thanks again
Making this for the third time this month! I added cinnamon and mini chocolate chips. So yummy! Thank you!
will be making it tomorrow :-); thanks for sharing it to pinterest!
Traci - I'm SO glad that you loved this recipe! Thanks for the update. :)
Thanks to everyone for your comments...They mean a lot! :)
I'll have to try adding cinnamon next time...that sounds fabulous!
I am having trouble reading the amount of each of the ingrediants...for some reason it is overlapping on the decorative part of the page. Can you let me know the amount of each ingrediant? Thanks! Can't wait to try it!!
Hey there!! Sorry about that...I'm not sure why it would overlap like that. Here's the ingredients list...I hope it helps, and thanks so much for commenting! Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help! :)
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium bananas)
1 cup roughly chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
Amazing recipe! Have baked this several times this month!
I can't wait to try this -- my very ripe bananas are ready & waiting -- I'm going to make mini loaves, love the convenience of those. And who doesn't LOVE minis? :)
This is the best Banana Bread that I have ever made!! Thank you.
i thought they came out too dry. i would suggest using less flour.
I also found this on Pinerest. I knew this would be good with butter and cream cheese as ingredients! I was not disappointed. The only change I made was adding a cup of chocolate chips. Thank you for sharing.
Do you recommend storing the loaves in the refrigerator or counter top?
I usually store mine on the counter top. :)
I made this a few times and its always good! Thanks for making me look like a great baker!
Most Bestest Amazing Banana Bread Ever! Found it on Pinterest! Only change I would cut back on sugar cause banana's were real sweet!
I made this yesterday and it is FABULOUS!!! Definitely a recipe to keep handy, Thank you :)
I'm so glad that you guys liked it!! :)
I think I have a new favorite bread!!! In oven now; the batter was delish! No nuts for me nut allergy and a dash of cinnamon. Mmmmm thanks!
How many and what size muffins does this make? How long would you bake the muffins and what temperature. This looks great but my husband wants muffins. Thanks for your help.
SO this isn't just one loaf, I dont have two loafs. So what would be the ingredents for one?
thanks
Do you cover with foil from before you put in oven for the full hour?
Made this today in muffin form, and added chocolate chips. About 25-30 in a 350, and I'll have about 2 1/2 dozen normal size muffins. So tasty, thanks! Going to add this to my blog as well: reallifemarinewife.blogspot.com
Thanks, everybody! :)
Diana - Justanotherwife's suggestion of 25-30 minutes in a 350 degree F oven sounds perfect.
Anonymous 1 - This recipe should still work great after cutting all of the ingredients by exactly half. I haven't prepared it this way, but I imagine it would be great.
Anonymous 2 - Only add the foil for the last 15 minutes of baking....just to keep the bread from getting too brown.
Saw this on pinterest as well, and have made it at least 6 times! I add a pint of blueberries. My husband and son LOVE it!
I made this bread in 6 mini loaf pans and they tasted great!
I made this last week and have since then shared with everyone I know. Let me just say, I make a lot of banana bread but this is by far the most moist and best tasting I have ever made!!! I was also able to do 3 of the bread pans :) So there was more to go around. Thanks for the recipe!!!
This recipe is in the oven as I type! Can't wait to taste it!
Thanks to everyone for your comments! I'm so happy that you all loved this recipe! :)
I found this recipe on Pinterest and made it today. I usually don't care much for banana bread... this is good! I took the advice of some of the others and added a dash of cinnamon.
Made a loaf and 12 muffins this morning. They came out so moist and delicious. Will definitely be making this again. Thank you for the recipe.
I only have while wheat flour, do I add all 3 cups or should I cut it in 1/2?
I just made this today. It turned out absolutely delicious! Thank you so much for the recipe!
Just popped these in the oven... Very excited. I usually make mine with Sour Cream so I'm anxious to see how much this will be different. I too added a little cinnamon and used brown sugar for half the sugar needed. I also made a crumble for the top. Brown Sugar, butter and extra fine pecans... Can't wait!! I'll give the results later..... :)
I am going to try it with greek yogurt instead of the cream cheese. I have substituted the yogurt for cream cheese and sour cream in many other recipes!
I just made this and followed the directions to a T, except I only added 2 1/2 cups of flour. I'm very glad I did, otherwise I think it would have been a very dense, almost dry, bread. I also sprinkled a little cinnamon on top before baking. It turned out SO yummy! I'll definitely be making this recipe again. :)
I've made 3 batches and I absolutely love this version! I did find that mine came out better with decreasing the oven temp to 325° and baking them for only 45 minutes. I do know that every oven is different, so you some tomes have to experiment with timing and temp! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
I tryed to make it with more fiber fir my husband on a low carb diet. So I used 1 1/2 of flaxseed flour and 1 1/2 of oat bran flour.. instead of regular flour. Oh it turned out great and yummy..
I love how this makes two loaves!! I split it and made muffins and a loaf to put in the freezer. It was really good!! Do you have any idea on a calorie count? I, too, will add mini chocolate chips next time. Thank you!!
I've never made banana bread from scratch, just a box (I know, shame on me) I don't have fresh bananas, could I substitute with baby food bananas?
I just put this in the oven, I am horrible in the kitchen but decided to give it a try...keeping my fingers crossed!
Made this last night and it's fabulous! The cream cheese makes it so moist and flavorful. So glad there's an extra loaf to freeze for later :) YUM!! Going to share this with friends!!
I made this today. Turned out great. I added semi sweet chocolate chips instead of pecans. Sent a loaf home with my inlaws. I did cover it in tin foil the last 10 min because of browning and cooked it for a total of 1hr 8 min. Thanks for the recipe.
Can I mix everything, refrigerate, and bake in the morning???
This recipe was simply amazing!
I made this tonight after finding it on Pinterest. I made mini muffins and mini loaves. It is delicious!!! My husband has been popping mini muffins in his mouth every time he walks by them. Thanks for a great recipe!!
I found this on pinterest and made it last weekend. So good! I've made banana bread before using different recipes but never with cream cheese. It was so moist and so delicious. My whole family loved it, even the fussy ones :) (I skipped the nuts because of allergies, but it was fantastic regardless)
Made this today and I'm a believer! I made one loaf and 8 mini-loaves and think it's wonderful. The mini-loaves I baked for 30 minutes and they were perfect! Thank you so much.
Making this now and added cinnamon and some raisins and cranberries. Can't wait to see how this turns out. Great recipe ty for sharing.
I made this today, as my grandson would say "delious"
I've made it several times now and I'm in love! I love it so much I'm making some for our Christmas party at church.
quisha89 said she added sour cream...How much do you add? Love this recipe and want to experiment.
I wanted a reason to use my new Kitchen Aid mixer and I had 4 overripe bananas! I made it last night using toasted walnuts and a sprinkling of cinammon. It was moist and yummy and I did freeze the other loaf.
My son and I made this today for a snack today, it was a HUGE hit with our family.
This was a very moist and flavorful bread, just the right amount of bananas and cream cheese.
Thanks for sharing.
I just tucked mine in the oven! It's my first time making it and all I have to say is....Whew! My husband and I have only been married two years, and we haven't done a lot of baking so far so we didn't own a stand mixer or even a hand mixer!!! Let me tell you, my arm is on FIRE from all that mixing. I hope it turns out alright. I'll for sure come back and leave a comment about my success rate!
I have been making this bread since the recipe came out from S/L. It is the only banana bread I make. It is simply the BEST!
How much sour cream did you add?
Wonderful as muffins and I added the cinnamon, dark chocolate chips and sourcream. I added coconut and an icing made with banana pudding (straight from box) pineapple juice, finely diced pecans, small marshmallows, and powdered sugar. Yummy!!!
Best banana bread! Moist and delicious. Thank you!
So excited to be making these after all the comments that I've read! They are in the oven now, as muffins w/the cinnamon :)
Just baked these in muffin form & they melted in my mouth!!! I did add 1/4 tsp of cinnamon ! thanks for the recipe!!!
Hi, Celeste, I wanted to ask you what does ´c´means. Thanks.
OMG, I made two mini loaves last weekend, substituting chocolate chips for the nuts and adding some cinnamon. I have never had much luck with banana bread recipes, but this one is a keeper! It came out cakelike, which may have been caused by overbeating, but we were fine with the texture. We made mini desserts by cutting a slice in half and adding a thin layer of cream cheese and frying like a grilled cheese Sammy. Heaven! Getting ready to make a loaf right now. Thank you for this recipe!
Anyone have any ideas on how to cut down on the sugar?
I only have 3 ripe bananas on hand, anything I could substitute? Just don't want it to be dry.
Ok..so this is bread goes in my fav folder..good stuff..I will likely make some adjustments but keep the original recipe..like maybe add some blueberries
Soooo good..this bread goes into my keeper folder..found this on pintrest and I'm glad I did because I loooooove banana bread..I wonder how it would turn out if I added some blueberries
Absolutely love this recipe!! It isi so good and very easy to follow the directions. I have made it a few times and it is great each time!
This recipe is awesome! I cut everything in half and only made one loaf and it was perfect! Best banana bread recipe I have found! Thank you!
I love this recipe! It turned out perfect! I cut everything in half and only made one loaf and it is perfect!! Best banana bread recipe I have used...and it will be the one I continue to use!
Starts getting super thick when you're adding the flour - thought I was going to burn up my mixer LOL - turned out wonderful!
Made this a few times. I added cinnamon chips from the baking aisle. My husband and kids agree it is the best banana bread we've ever eaten. Thanks for the recipe.
Just made this last night, cut the recipe in half cause I only had enough stuff for one loaf. Used chocolate chips instead and accidentally added too much baking soda but it still turned out wonderful! Definitely a keeper!
I made these today. We live in eastern NM. I baked the bread for one hour and they didn't bake all the way. So, I am putting them back in the oven. They also came out very blond as compared to other banana bread I have seen. I also put 6 bananas and it just doesn't taste like banana bread. I don't know what I did wrong?? Maybe too much flour? I will try it again.
Mine didn't raise. Should it be 1tsp of baking powder per cup of flour. Thought like it didn't sound like enough when I was making this.
Love this recipe. I made them as muffins adding cinnamon to the batter and topping with a strudel mixture. Everyone fell I love with them. Also made plain mini muffins for the grand kids. They love Nana's baking!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I love the cream cheese and bananas in this -makes it much easier to modify so that my wheat-allergic boyfriend can eat it too!<3
Made this several times. LOVE it I also make a honey butter to go with it. DELISH!
I made this last night and it tastes really good but mine didn't rise at all. It's totally flat. I didn't overbeat or anything, My butter and cream cheese were softened and room temp. Even my eggs were room temp. All my ingredients were new… don't know what went wrong! I made one loaf with mini chocolate chips, the other without. Came out super yummy, but not so good in presentation.
I LOVE this recipe! The cream cheese really makes all the difference. The only thing I did differently was use whole wheat flour in place of white. Bread was amazing! I won't ever use any other recipe again. :)
I was short on flour so added 1 C oat flour, and always put cinnamon in banana bread! Can't wait to taste and compare it to my other recipe I made today with coconut flour and 6 eggs. Don't know if more expensive egg recipe is that much better. Love this recipe, but don't usually use any oat flour. Will let you know!
I made this last night, did NOT alter the recipe. It was the BEST ever. So moist, its a keeper!
Make banana bread at least twice a month, saw this new recipe and decided to try it! Made four small loaves, one plain, one with pecans, one with choc chips, and one with cinnamon. All delicious! Thanks!
HOLY BANANA BREAD! this recipe is amazing, thank you so much for sharing!
Made this, omitted the nuts & added 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Mmm! Next time I'm going to try making it with brown sugar instead of white just for the heck of it!
I made this and it was the best banana bread I've ever had! Thanks for sharing!!
Making this for the 3rd time tonight, only variation is subbing half the flour with whole wheat flour and using walnuts (that's what I had on hand but the pecans in it are amazing). It never fails...I buy a bunch of bananas for my picky 18 month old because
sometimes she takes a notion and loves
them, but then she decides she doesn't like
them this week so I am forced to make this
bread.. oh darn. :)
This really is the best banana bread recipe I've tried! I added cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and a few extra pecans to my batter. I did have to cover the edges with foil to prevent burning during the last 20 minutes of baking. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Found this on Pintrest, and is a great recipe. I did make some alterations, I cut the sugar half and half with monkfruit, used low fat cream cheese, and used whole wheat flour. Was yummy!! Thanks
These are superb! Hubby broke his ankle so I whipped up 12 large muffins & 1 loaf to cheer him up. He said they are the best muffins he's ever had. I modified the recipe with 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, no nuts. Dipped muffins in melted butter and rolled them in cinnamon/sugar mixture. You bite into a crunchy outside and moist banana inside. The loaf is still baking and the house smells yummy.
Two loaves in the oven, smelling wonderful I might add, as I type. Only change I made was to coat the pans with cinnamon/sugar mixture instead of flour. Can't wait to taste it. I'll let ya know if it tastes as good as it smells! Thanks for posting recipe to Pinterest.
I made this today. It is the BEST Banana Bread I have ever tasted. So delish. Thanks for sharing
Dear Celeste,
3/4 c butter equal to how many oz or gm ? Wish to try out this weekend, thanks in advance, jenny
Jenny - Thanks for your question! Using an online convertor, it looks like 3/4 cup would be either 6 oz or 170.1 grams. I hope this helps! :)
I have been making this recipe for a long time. It's the best !! I have made up to 8 loaves at a time. It freezes great. I usually thaw it & stick in the oven for about 10 min. to dry out the top. My entire family loves this.
Saw this on pinterest and had to make it! I didn't put it in two pans tho, I put mine in one big loaf pan...fingers crossed it comes out yummy!
I just took my 2 loaves out of the oven,hardest part was waiting for them to cool.I made the exact recipe with one substitution, as I did not have pecans so I used chopped walnuts, and did not toast them.
Ok..just had a slice of pure banana bread heaven! Definitely a delish winner !!
Walnuts are great in it but will do pecans next time! Thanks for sharing..this recipe just replaced my Mom's long standing winner Banana bread..but shh... I won't tell my 96 year old Mom! LOL
Can you make this using a Bundt cake pan?
Mine are in the oven now. After reading all the comments this is what I did. I used ALL organic ingredients. I use half organic sugar and half organic brown sugar. I used both pecans and walnuts and poppy seeds. I also added cinnamon and a little fresh grated nutmeg. It's is smelling great. I'll let you know how they turn out.
I made two loaves as the recipe calls for (this past Saturday)and one loaf was gobbled down in less than 5 minutes. Everyone loved it, including myself. It was moist and tasty! The 2nd loaf I took to our shop 2 days later and it was still moist and delicious and everyone there loved it as well!
I made this recipe tonight for my family and guests and it was a bit with everyone including my picky 9 year old eater! Love it! Will definitely be making this bread again! Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe!
I have it baking in the oven as we speak... I used walnuts instead and added chocolate chips! I made four loaves tonight I have for kids so it will go fastalso sending some home with my mother she and my dad are in a nursing home and cannot cook
I made this tonight using pumpkin instead of bananas, and dates instead of sugar (pureed them in the food processor with the can of pumpkin until it was all smooth) because I'm making this for a pre-school snack. It started getting super super thick as I was mixing it, but hopefully it rises and turns out okay. I also added some spices (standard pumpkin pie spices). Fingers crossed, and next time I'll make it with bananas!
I tried this just tonight and it was awesome. I have been making banana bread for years and this is now my top recipe! Thanks
I tried this for the first time tonight and it was awesome. I have been making banana bread for years and this recipe is on the top one on the list to go to first. Thanks
Made this banana bread and it's probably the best I've ever had. So moist. It's delish and will make it again. My number one go to banana bread recipe.
I make a delicious banana nut bread from a recipe that I cut out of the Arizona Republic newspaper about 20 years ago and it calls for 1/3 c. plain, non-fat yogurt and everybody wants to have my recipe because it is so moist. I wrap my bread about 5 min. after removing from the oven, and it's stay moist for a few weeks that way. I use walnuts in mine but will try this recipe. When bananas skins start getting dark, into a freezer ziploc bag it goes and into freezer till I'm ready to make several at a time. I bet the cream cheese and toasted pecans does add great flavor. Will have to try making muffins with this and my recipe.
Made this recipe this evening. I think I will add just a but more banana but otherwise, it is delicious!
Mine came out to dry. Any idea what I could have done wrong
First time baker here. I mixed by hand, sprayed 3 foil loaf pans with flour nonstick cooking spray and made mine with Neufchâtel. I only had 3 bananas. It was crusty on the outside and moist on the inside. My home smells amazing right now!!
Thank you for posting this recipe from Southern Living! My mom loves banana bread and yesterday was her birthday. We have had the flu in our house for far too long so I was unable to get out and buy her anything. I had purchased bananas before we fell ill so when I got better - they were way too over ripe. I just pulled 2 loaves out of the oven for mom's birthday celebration which will be tomorrow - it smells divine is is perfectly moist! I hope my husband can keep his hands off of it!
Just made this and have but one comment: be a rebel and have some raw. This stuff is amazing(:
Andrea Y made it and loved it couldn't stop eating best banana bread ever !
Have been wanting to try this since I saw it. Bread is now in the oven and smells wonderful! I love trying different banana bread recipes as I always seem to have ripe bananas. Thank you for sharing. I will let you know how it turns out.
I just made this followed all the directions But it did not rise up. Any suggestion?
I just made this today, also added the cinnamon per other comments. It is so very good! Moist. Lots of flavor. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Made this tonight in 3 small loaves and it's GREAT...
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