Description
This Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread combines moist, tender banana bread with a creamy twist from plant-based cream cheese and a delightful nutty crunch. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, it uses simple, wholesome ingredients and is easily customizable to suit your taste and dietary preferences. The bread stays fresh for days and freezes well, making it a convenient and delicious treat any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 4 oz plant-based cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup natural brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by mashing the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until smooth with just a few small lumps remaining. Next, soften the plant-based cream cheese to room temperature for easier blending.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the softened plant-based cream cheese, applesauce, natural brown sugar, vanilla extract (natural), and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural) to the mashed bananas. Stir gently until well combined and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon (natural), and natural gelling agent to evenly distribute all leavening and spices.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread light and fluffy.
- Add Nuts: Fold in the toasted chopped nuts for added crunch and flavor that complement the banana base beautifully.
- Bake Your Bread: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool slightly before slicing for optimal texture.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Ensure all wet ingredients are at room temperature for even mixing.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and light.
- Lightly toast the nuts before folding them in to enhance their flavor.
- Start checking the bread for doneness around 55 minutes as oven temperatures vary.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of loaf)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: banana bread, plant-based cream cheese, banana nut bread, vegan banana bread, gluten-free banana bread, moist banana bread, nut bread