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Moist Maple Pecan Banana Bread Recipe with Cream Cheese Swirl

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A moist and flavorful banana bread with maple syrup, toasted pecans, and a luscious cream cheese swirl, perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (120 g) pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar
  • Optional: pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring often until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the cream cheese swirl: In a medium bowl, beat 8 oz (225 g) softened cream cheese with ¼ cup (50 g) packed brown sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and optional spices like ½ teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add ½ cup (113 g) melted unsalted butter, ¼ cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup, ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
  5. Combine wet and dry: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be a bit lumpy for a tender crumb.
  6. Add pecans: Fold in the toasted pecans carefully, reserving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
  7. Layer the batter and cream cheese: Pour about half the banana bread batter into the loaf pan. Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the cream cheese gently through the batter. Repeat with the remaining batter and cream cheese, swirling again.
  8. Top with reserved pecans: Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top for a crunchy finish.
  9. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Tent loosely with foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly.
  10. Cool: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender. Toast pecans to enhance flavor. Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smooth blending. Swirl cream cheese gently to create pretty ribbons. Check doneness starting at 50 minutes. Let bread cool completely before slicing for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, maple pecan banana bread, cream cheese swirl, moist banana bread, easy banana bread, pecan banana bread, breakfast bread

Find it online: https://grubella.com/moist-maple-pecan-banana-bread-recipe-with-cream-cheese-swirl-easy-and-perfect/