Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread

Looking for a banana bread recipe that goes beyond the ordinary? This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread is a showstopper! We’ve taken the classic comfort of banana bread and elevated it with a luscious salted caramel, a creamy cream cheese swirl, and a delightful crunch from toasted coconut and almonds. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or a cozy afternoon snack. Get ready to bake a loaf that will disappear in minutes!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour (250g / 2 cups): The foundation of our bread, providing structure. Ensure it’s measured accurately – spoon and level is best!
• Baking Powder (5g / 1 tsp): A leavening agent that helps the bread rise, creating a light and fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda (2g / ½ tsp): Another leavening agent, working with the acidity of the bananas to give the bread extra lift.
• Fine Sea Salt (2g / ½ tsp + ½ tsp flaky): Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness. We use both fine sea salt in the batter and flaky sea salt for a delightful crunch and visual appeal in the caramel.
• Granulated Sugar (150g / ¾ cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Light Brown Sugar (100g / ½ cup + 60g / ¼ cup): Provides moisture, a subtle molasses flavor, and contributes to a chewier texture. The extra brown sugar is specifically for the salted caramel.
• Large Eggs (2, room temperature): Bind the ingredients together and add richness. Room temperature eggs emulsify better, resulting in a smoother batter.
• Unsalted Butter (115g / ½ cup, melted): Adds flavor and tenderness. Using melted butter creates a moist and dense bread. Plant-based butter alternatives can be used for a halal-certified option.
• Whole Milk (120ml / ½ cup): Adds moisture and helps create a tender crumb. Plant-based milk alternatives work beautifully too!
• Ripe Bananas (3, ≈300g, mashed): The star of the show! The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
• Cream Cheese (120g / ½ cup, softened): Creates a tangy and creamy swirl throughout the bread. Ensure it’s fully softened for a smooth and easy swirl. Halal-certified cream cheese is available.
• Honey (30g / 2 Tbsp): Adds a touch of natural sweetness and complements the cream cheese.
• Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp): Adds warmth and spice, complementing the banana and caramel flavors.
• Heavy Cream (60ml / ¼ cup): Used in the salted caramel to create a smooth and luxurious sauce. Halal-certified heavy cream is available.
• Toasted Coconut Flakes (30g / ¼ cup): Adds a delightful tropical flavor and a satisfying crunch.
• Toasted Sliced Almonds (30g / ¼ cup): Provides a nutty flavor and textural contrast.

Substitutions & Variations

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! Here are a few ideas:

• Flour: You can substitute up to 1/2 cup of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly nuttier flavor.
• Nuts: Walnuts or pecans can be used in place of almonds.
• Coconut: If you’re not a fan of coconut, simply omit it.
• Dairy: As noted, plant-based alternatives for milk, butter, and cream cheese work wonderfully.

Let’s Bake: Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F). Thoroughly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. This is crucial to prevent sticking! Then, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will act as a sling, making it easy to lift the baked bread out later.
2. Craft the Salted Caramel: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 30g (2 tbsp) of butter. Once melted, stir in 60g (¼ cup) of packed light brown sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is glossy and smooth – this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Gradually whisk in 60ml (¼ cup) of heavy cream. Be careful, as it may bubble up! Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring, until the caramel thickens slightly. Finally, whisk in ½ tsp of flaky sea salt. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. The cooling process is important as it will thicken further.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 250g (2 cups) of all-purpose flour, 5g (1 tsp) of baking powder, 2g (½ tsp) of baking soda, 2g (½ tsp) of fine sea salt, and 1 tsp of ground cinnamon. Whisking ensures everything is evenly distributed, leading to a consistent rise and flavor. Set this mixture aside.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 150g (¾ cup) of granulated sugar, 100g (½ cup) of packed light brown sugar, 115g (½ cup) of melted butter, 2 large room temperature eggs, 300g (approximately 3) mashed ripe bananas, 120ml (½ cup) of milk, and 1 tsp of alcohol-free vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer (or vigorously with a whisk) until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. The batter will be quite thick – that’s perfectly normal.
6. Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate bowl, beat 120g (½ cup) of softened cream cheese with 30g (2 tbsp) of honey, a pinch of cinnamon, and ½ tsp of vanilla extract until the mixture is silky smooth. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese remaining.
7. Swirl It All Together: Stir half of the cooled salted caramel into the banana bread batter. Then, drop dollops of the cream cheese mixture evenly over the surface of the batter. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese and caramel into the batter to create beautiful ribbons. Fold the remaining caramel lightly into the batter, being careful not to overmix, to maintain the swirl effect.
8. Top & Bake: Evenly sprinkle 60ml (¼ cup) of toasted coconut flakes and 30g (¼ cup) of toasted sliced almonds over the top of the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil.
9. Cool & Finish: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully lifting it out onto a wire rack using the parchment paper overhang. Drizzle any leftover salted caramel over the top. Let the bread cool completely before slicing and serving.

The Science Behind the Swirl: Why This Banana Bread Works

This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread isn’t just about delicious flavors; it’s about understanding how ingredients interact. The ripe bananas provide moisture and natural sweetness, while the combination of granulated and brown sugar contributes to both flavor and a tender crumb. The melted butter adds richness, and the baking powder/soda duo provides lift. The cream cheese swirl introduces a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness, and the salted caramel adds a delightful complexity. The swirl itself isn’t just for aesthetics; it ensures that every bite has a little bit of that creamy, salty-sweet goodness.

Tips for the Perfect Caramel

Making caramel can seem intimidating, but it’s quite simple with a few key tips. Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent scorching. Stir constantly, especially as the sugar begins to melt. Be patient – it takes time for the caramel to develop its rich color and flavor. And most importantly, be careful when adding the cream, as it will bubble vigorously. If you’re nervous about making caramel from scratch, you can use a high-quality store-bought caramel sauce, but homemade truly elevates this recipe.

Banana Ripeness: The Key to Flavor

Don’t underestimate the importance of using truly ripe bananas! The more brown spots, the better. Overripe bananas are softer, sweeter, and easier to mash, resulting in a more flavorful and moist banana bread. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe enough, you can speed up the process by placing them in a paper bag with an apple or banana for a day or two.

Storing Your Masterpiece

This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread is best enjoyed within 3-4 days. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply let it sit at room temperature overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use different nuts? Absolutely! Pecans or walnuts would be delicious substitutes for the almonds.
• Can I make this gluten-free? Yes, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Can I make this dairy-free? Yes, use plant-based butter, milk, and cream cheese.

This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread is a true showstopper – a perfect treat for brunch, dessert, or any occasion. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible. Don’t forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later inspiration!

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• Author: Madison Clarke
• Total Time: 80 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf 1x
• Diet: General

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Description

This Salted Caramel Cream Cheese Swirled Banana Bread elevates the classic recipe with a luscious caramel swirl, creamy cream cheese, and toasted coconut and almonds. It’s a delightful treat for any occasion, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

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Ingredients

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• 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 5g (1 tsp) baking powder
• 2g (½ tsp) baking soda
• 2g (½ tsp) fine sea salt + ½ tsp flaky sea salt
• 150g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
• 100g (½ cup) light brown sugar + 60g (¼ cup) for caramel
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 115g (½ cup) melted unsalted butter
• 120ml (½ cup) whole milk
• 300g (≈3) ripe bananas, mashed
• 120g (½ cup) softened cream cheese
• 30g (2 Tbsp) honey
• 1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 60ml (¼ cup) heavy cream
• 30g (¼ cup) toasted coconut flakes
• 30g (¼ cup) toasted sliced almonds

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Instructions

1. Preheat & Prepare: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F), grease & line a loaf pan.
2. Craft Salted Caramel: Melt butter & brown sugar, add cream & salt, cool slightly.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, & cinnamon.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat sugars, butter, eggs, bananas, milk, & vanilla.
5. Combine Wet & Dry: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: Beat cream cheese, honey, cinnamon, & vanilla.
7. Swirl & Bake: Stir caramel into batter, swirl in cream cheese, top with coconut & almonds, bake 55-65 minutes.
8. Cool & Finish: Cool in pan, drizzle with caramel, & let cool completely.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use very ripe bananas. Don’t overmix the batter to avoid a tough bread. Plant-based alternatives can be used for dairy ingredients.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg