CREAM CHEESE-FILLED BANANA BREAD

Ingredients:

For the Banana Bread:

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup liquid-state coconut oil (canola or vegetable oil can be substituted)
• ¼ cup sour cream (lite is okay, Greek yogurt can be substituted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 1 large egg
• 4 ounces brick-style cream cheese, softened (lite is okay)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour the pan; set aside.

2. Make the Banana Bread:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, coconut oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until well combined.
   • Stir in the mashed bananas until incorporated.
   • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt (if using). Fold gently with a spatula or stir with a spoon until just combined. Do not overmix. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling:

   • In another bowl, whisk together the egg, softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and flour until smooth. Alternatively, use a hand mixer to blend until smooth.

4. Assemble the Bread:

   • Turn about two-thirds of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula and pushing it into the corners and sides as needed.
   • Pour the cream cheese filling evenly over the banana bread batter in the pan, smoothing the top gently with a spatula.

5. Add Remaining Batter:

   • Spoon the remaining banana bread batter over the cream cheese layer, spreading it gently with a spatula to cover the cream cheese filling. Be careful not to disturb the cream cheese layer too much.

6. Bake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 48 to 50 minutes, or until the top is domed, golden, and the center is set.
   • To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Note that due to the cream cheese filling, the toothpick test might not be entirely accurate.

7. Cooling:

   • Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
   • Carefully transfer the bread from the pan to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

8. Serve:

   • Once completely cooled, slice the bread and serve. Enjoy your Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Filling!