I’m thrilled by my latest Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe that combines luscious unsalted butter with cream cheese and ripe mashed bananas for an indulgent twist. A touch of vanilla, a burst of fresh chopped strawberries, and classic spices create a delightful treat. I love making two loaves to share with friends and neighbors.

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I’ve been experimenting with new twists in my baking routine and this cream cheese strawberry banana bread really caught my attention. I started with 1 cup of unsalted butter and added two packages of softened cream cheese to create a rich base that totally amps up the flavor.

Mixing in granulated sugar and eggs with mashed ripe bananas and a splash of vanilla extract gave it a unique texture thats hard to beat. Then I folded in all-purpose flour along with just the right amounts of baking soda, baking powder and a pinch of salt.

Finally, fresh chopped strawberries were carefully worked into the batter making this not just another strawberry bread recipe but a standout strawberry banana bread creation. The flavor and texture are so delightful i knew i had to share it.

Its perfect for making two loaves so you can share some love with friends and neighbors. Enjoy baking it as much as i did.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for several reasons. First, I love that the cream cheese makes it super rich and creamee, and adds a whole other layer to what would normally be just banana bread. Second, the mix of mashed bananas with fresh strawberries gives it a really balanced flavor that is both sweet and a little tangy which always reminds me of nice summer days. Third, I think it’s great that the recipe makes two loaves so i can share it with my friends or family, or even give it as a gift. And finally, i like that the instructions are pretty simple even though its a bit finicky if you overmix the batter, so it feels like a fun little challenge every time i bake it.

Ingredients

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Unsalted butter: provides a rich, creamy texture and mouthwatering flavor while adding necessary fats.
Cream cheese: smooth and tangy, supplies creaminess and a subtle salty note to the bread.
Granulated sugar: sweetens the recipe, boosting energy quickly with simple carbohydrates.
Ripe bananas: naturally sweet, offers fiber and moisture making the bread moist and delicious.
Fresh strawberries: add a burst of fruity flavor with vitamins and a hint of tartness.
Eggs: supply protein and help bind ingredients while contributing extra moisture to the bread.
Vanilla extract: adds a sweet aroma and flavor depth without altering texture or health.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

16 oz cream cheese (2 packages), softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

6 very ripe bananas, mashed

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups fresh strawberries, chopped

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two 9×5 loaf pans.

2. Cream the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar in a large bowl until its light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time at room temperature, then stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined, dont overmix cause it can ruin the texture.

6. Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries, making sure they are evenly distributed.

7. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. Let the loaves cool in the pans for about 10 minutes then transfer them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Serve and enjoy your rich, tasty cream cheese strawberry-banana bread with family or friends.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated at 350°F)
2. Two 9×5 loaf pans (to grease before use)
3. Large mixing bowl (for creaming butter, cream cheese, and sugar)
4. Smaller bowl (to whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt)
5. Electric mixer or hand mixer (to cream the butter mixture and beat the eggs)
6. Whisk (for dry ingredients)
7. Spatula (to stir the batter and smooth the tops before baking)
8. Measuring cups and spoons (for all the ingredients)
9. Banana masher or fork (to mash the bananas properly)
10. Knife and cutting board (to chop the fresh strawberries)
11. Toothpick (to test if the bread is done)
12. Wire cooling rack (for cooling the loaves after baking)

FAQ

How do I know when my bananas are ripe enough for this recipe?

The bananas should be very soft with lotsa brown spots. If they mash up easily with a fork, they're good to go.

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

You can, but thaw them first and drain any extra juice so they don’t water down the batter.

What can cause the bread to turn out too dense?

Over mixing the batter or measuring the flour wrong might be the issue. Mix until just combined and measure carefully.

How do I check if the bread is fully baked?

Stick a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done.

What’s the best way to store this banana bread?

Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container, keeping it at room temp or in the fridge if you like it cold.

Cream Cheese Strawberry Banana Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of unsalted butter, you can use salted butter but just reduce the added salt a bit
You can swap out the cream cheese for full-fat Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese which adds a slightly different tang
If you don’t have granulated sugar, try using brown sugar or even coconut sugar though it may change the flavor a little
For the bananas, unsweetened applesauce can be used as a substitute if you’re short on ripe bananas, just remember the texture might differ
If fresh strawberries arent available, frozen ones work fine provided you thaw and drain them well before adding

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter and cream cheese are all at room temperature before you start. It’ll help the mixture blend in smooth and prevent those lumpy bits.
2. When adding the eggs, do it one at a time so you don’t mess up the texture of your batter. Rushing that step can really ruin the final result.
3. Once you mix in the dry ingredients, stir just until they’re combined and stop there. Overmixing can lead to a tougher bread than you want.
4. Be super gentle when folding in your strawberries. If you stir too hard, they can break up and turn your batter into a mushy mess.