Detailed Directions and Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cooking space by greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan to prevent the bread from sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Whisk these ingredients together until evenly mixed.
Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Incorporate 2 large eggs into the butter and sugar mixture, adding them one at a time. Next, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until combined.
Combine Bananas and Sour Cream
Mix in 3 ripe bananas that have been mashed and 1/4 cup of sour cream. Stir until the banana-sour cream mixture is well combined with the batter.
Prepare Cream Cheese
In a separate bowl, beat 4 ounces of softened cream cheese until it is smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps to maintain a nice texture in the bread.
Layer the Batter
Pour half of the banana batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the banana batter. Then, spoon the remaining banana batter over the cream cheese layer, ensuring it covers the cream cheese completely.
Bake the Bread
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time to avoid over-baking.
Cool the Bread
Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Afterward, transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Storage Tips
To store the banana bread, wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the bread for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy the banana bread as is or with a spread of butter, cream cheese, or your favorite nut butter for added flavor.
Recipe Yield
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings. Adjust the quantities if you need to serve a larger group.
