Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

There are few things that make me smile quicker than the smell of fresh banana bread baking in the oven. This recipe is super close to my heart, as it’s derived from my mom’s classic recipe that I grew up on! I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as everyone in my house does!🍞🍌

Cream Cheese Stuffed Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Wet Ingredients:

• 4 ripe bananas

• 2 whole eggs

• 1 tbsp natural vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup softened butter

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1 cup cane sugar

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Garnishes:

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

• 8 oz cream cheese, cut into sticks

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

2. Mix in eggs until emulsified

3. In a separate bowl break up the bananas using a fork or a potato masher. Add vanilla extract to banana mixture

4. In another bowl, sift and combine all dry ingredients

5. Alternate between folding in The banana mixture and the dry ingredients until fully combined

6. Fold in chocolate chips

7. Pour half of the batter into a buttered loaf pan, line cream cheese sticks in the middle, and top with remaining batter

8. Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out without any batter

9. Allow to cool before wrapping or storing in an airtight container for up to a week

Kristi’s Favorite Variations:

• mix in some of your favorite toasted nuts for a lovely banana nut bread

• create a blend of your favorite chocolate chips to make a double/triple chocolate rendition

• mix in berries or strawberries for a fun fruit-filled banana bread

• bake batter in a muffin tin for simple on-the-go single servings

Be sure to follow @thesaltedsicilian on Instagram to stay up to date on recipes and to find tutorials!🍴