Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread is a dream for chocolate lovers, striking the perfect balance of banana flavor and creamy sweetness. It's not too sweet or dense, and every slice has a luscious cream cheese swirl running through it, keeping things extra moist and indulgent. A glossy chocolate glaze on top makes it feel dessert-worthy without being over the top.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 10
- 🍌 Flavor Profile: Rich, chocolaty banana bread with a tangy cream cheese swirl and decadent chocolate glaze.
- 🥛 Best Served With: A cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes, bake a day ahead and glaze once fully cooled, or glaze immediately.
Summarize and Save This Content On
I love making this as a weekend treat, especially when I've got overripe or even black bananas sitting on the counter. It's quick to make, but feels like something special, especially if you think classic banana bread is a little too plain. The cream cheese swirl and chocolate glaze really take the dessert vibes to the next level.
This banana coffee cake and banana cobbler are both magical treats made with real bananas, too.
Jump to:
- Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe Essentials
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Double Chocolate Banana Bread with Cream Cheese
- Expert Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe FAQs
- More Easy Banana Bread Recipes
- Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy but impressive technique: This is a simple chocolate banana bread recipe, but the glossiness of the glaze and the cream cheese swirl make it bakery-worthy.
- It works as breakfast or dessert: You can enjoy this as a quick breakfast treat or as a decadent dessert, just like our banana bread with streusel topping.
- All you need is overripe bananas and pantry staples: The ingredient list is very basic; the most important part is ensuring that your bananas are ripe enough!
Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients to making the best cream cheese and chocolate banana bread ever.
- Bananas: They must be very ripe or overripe for optimal sweetness. If your bananas aren't quite ripe enough, place them into a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until the peel turns black. Allow them to cool, and then they are ready to use.
- Cocoa powder: Either Dutch process or natural cocoa powder works here, as long as it's unsweetened. You get plenty of sweetness from the sugar and bananas.
- Chocolate chips: I use milk chocolate chips for their creaminess. If you want the sweetness to be more balanced, use semi-sweet. For a more bitter chocolate flavor, try dark chocolate.
- Cream cheese: You must bring your cream cheese to room temperature so it's soft enough to work with. Otherwise, you'll have a very lumpy mixture that won't distribute well through the banana bread. I also recommend using full-fat only for maximum creaminess. I treat it the same when I make these chewy cream cheese brownies!
- Salted butter: This is a simple shortcut, so you don't need to use additional salt. If you only have unsalted butter on hand, add a pinch of salt to make up for it.
- Brown sugar: I use light brown sugar for moisture and sweetness. You can use dark brown sugar if you prefer a deeper molasses flavor.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Add nuts: Fold ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans into the banana bread batter for some texture.
- Lighter version: Swap half of the butter for plain Greek yogurt for a lighter result; it will just be a little dense.
- Make muffins: Use a standard muffin tin instead and bake them for 20-25 minutes. This is perfect for a bake sale or special event!
How to Make Double Chocolate Banana Bread with Cream Cheese
Preheat your oven to 350°F, then grease your 9x5 loaf pan with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients. Combine the butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, and banana in a mixing bowl until smooth.
Step 2: Combine with the dry ingredients. Whisk the dry ingredients together and then slowly add the mixture to the wet ingredients until you get a smooth batter.
Step 3: Prepare the cream cheese swirl. Beat the cream cheese with the rest of the swirling ingredients until fully combined.
Step 4: Add it to the batter. Add half of the banana bread batter to the prepared loaf pan, and then add the cream cheese mixture on top, keeping it away from the edges and not mixing it.
Step 5: Finish with more batter on top. Pour the rest of the batter on top and gently swirl it with a toothpick once or twice.
Step 6: Bake and cool. Pop it in the oven and bake it for about an hour. Once it's done, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before you transfer it to a cooling rack.
Step 7: Make the glaze. While the banana bread cools, melt the butter for the glaze and stir in the chocolate chips until they are fully melted.
Step 8: Drizzle on top and serve. When the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over it and finish with chocolate chips. Slice and enjoy with a scoop of homemade banana ice cream as a dessert.
Expert Tips
- Check for doneness with a toothpick: When checking the banana bread for doneness, it's important to test a part without the cream cheese swirl, because that part is soft and will feel underdone, even if the rest is fully baked.
- Cool fully before glazing: Allow the loaf to cool completely before adding the glaze so it doesn't melt and slide off.
- Use room-temperature ingredients: Not only should the cream cheese be room temperature, but the butter and eggs should be as well. Any cold ingredients will make the batter lumpy, too.
- Storage directions: You may keep the chocolate-glazed banana bread at room temperature for only 2 days in an airtight container because of the cream cheese. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you're a fan of chocolate and banana, you'll love this double chocolate banana bread, too.
Serving Suggestions
- Savory breakfast pairings: Some of my favorite savory breakfast foods to pair with this easy cream cheese chocolate banana bread are breakfast sliders and easy cheese toast.
- Potlucks and bake sales: You can make and slice this banana bread for a bake sale. If you're looking for more treats to make, I highly recommend this blueberry and zucchini bread.
Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe FAQs
If you test a part of the banana bread that has the cream cheese swirl with a toothpick, it will feel soft and come out a little wet; this is normal. If you test another part and get wet batter, it's not cooked through, so allow it to bake a few more minutes and then recheck it!
Yes! I personally love the glaze because it takes it to another level and makes it feel more elegant. However, you can leave it off if you prefer. It's still so delicious.
Sure! Prepare and bake it a day ahead with or without the glaze, and keep it in the refrigerator. The flavors are even better the next day!
Absolutely! For best results, slice and wrap each slice in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. You may thaw the banana bread overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for an hour or 2.
I use a 9x5-inch pan for this recipe, but an 8x4-inch pan works as well. The loaf will be taller and will take a little bit more time to bake, so keep an eye on it.
More Easy Banana Bread Recipes
Do you like banana bread recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Cream Cheese Chocolate Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mashed banana 2-3 overripe bananas mashed well
- 1 cup light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup salted butter softened
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Swirl
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Glaze
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper or nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Add banana and mix again.
- In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine well. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and egg.
- Pour half of your chocolate banana mixture into the prepared loaf pan, and then add the cream cheese into the middle of it. Be careful not to spread the cream cheese to the edges; keep it in the center.
- Pour the remaining chocolate banana mixture over the cream cheese, and then use a thin knife to gently swirl the cream cheese through the chocolate banana mix. Not too much, a swirl or two is enough.
- Bake uncovered for 1 hour. If you touch the center of the loaf and it is not firm, bake 10 minutes longer or until the center is firm.
- Once baked, remove from the oven. Let it cool in the loaf pan for 10 minutes, and then remove it from the pan and cool on a cooling rack completely.
- While it's cooling, make the chocolate glaze. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in your microwave on high for 1 minute or until hot and bubbly. Quickly add the chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth. (You could also do this in a pot on the stove.)
- Drizzle the chocolate glaze over the loaf and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
- Slice and serve!
Notes
- Test the banana bread for doneness in a spot without the cream cheese swirl. The swirl stays soft, so it can make the loaf seem underbaked even when it's done.
- For the smoothest batter, let the cream cheese, butter, and eggs come to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients can create lumps.
- A 9x5-inch loaf pan works best, but an 8x4-inch pan can be used. The loaf will be taller and may need a few extra minutes to bake through.
Boomer says
Just tried this recipe complete with glaze. Did a double batch. WOW this is good! Thanks
Karin and Ken says
You’re most welcome! I’m sorry glad you enjoyed this recipe! I love it. Thanks for commenting! I’m sorry glad grateful. Enjoy the rest of your day. Karin
Keiko says
Very delicious! Tried it yesterday and turned out really well. The cream cheese swirls are such a fun addition. Thank you.
Karin and Ken says
As always you are most welcome! I try my best. I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe. Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much. All the best. Karin
Jesse says
I made your chocolate chunk banana recipe last week. It's my favorite now. Can't stop eating it. ❤️
Karin and Ken says
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. You made my day! All the best. Karin
Lynnea says
Trying this recipe out. Tired of regular banana bread. In instructions it called for vanilla in the bread part but did not see it listed in ingredients. So added 1 tsp. Can’t wait to try it.
Karin and Ken says
I can't thank you enough for pointing out the error in the recipe. I am so glad you included the vanilla. A little bit of vanilla definitely makes a difference. This is my favorite banana bread recipe. When I make it I add the cream cheese mixture, chocolate chunks or chips and the glaze. I just love it all and hope you feel the exact same way once you get to eat a slice. My fingers are crossed. Also I hope your swirl turns out better than the one in the photograph. My son made the video and his swirling wasn't as good as it is now! My swirl looks like the horrible photo near the bottom of the post. Either way this bread is delicious and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you have a moment I would love to hear what you think! Regardless, take care and all the best to you. Karin
Judy Kahansky says
Oh wow we are definitely trying this recipe! Big banana bread fans and chocoholics, it's a match made in heaven. 🙂 Pinning for later too. Thanks so much!
Karin and Ken says
You are welcome! I love this recipe so much I never make it when I am alone because I’m too tempted and have way too many small pieces and before you know it I ate one big piece! (If you know what I mean.) I swirl the cream cheese much better than my son but either way it always turns out beautifully. In my opinion the glaze makes it even better! Please let me know what you think when you try it. I can’t wait to hear! One banana bread-chocoholic to another! ? If you prefer it without the cream cheese I have the recipe posted here https://kitchendivas.com/glazed-chocolate-chunk-banana-bread/ I love them both. Enjoy and take care. Talk soon. Karin
Bonnie Merrill says
Is there really 1 cup of eggs needed for the banana/chocolate bread?
Karin and Ken says
Oh my goodness! Just 1 egg! Not 1 cup. Thank you so much for telling us. I really can't thank you enough! This recipe is delicious! I really hope you try it. Take care and thank you again. Be well. Karin