Next Post
Fall Harvest Roasted Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Salad.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Welcoming in fall with this (one bowl) Cream Cheese Swirled Pumpkin Banana Bread….better than your coffee shop. Moist pumpkin banana bread sweetened with maple syrup, swirled with cream cheese, topped with sweet cinnamon sugar, and served warm. Perfect for all of the autumn weekends ahead, and best enjoyed just out of the oven with a generous smear of salted maple butter. So GOOD!
I held off as long as I possibly could. But out of serious demand, I am finally sharing my pumpkin bread recipe with you guys. Some of you may remember a couple of weeks back when I gave a sneak peek at this bread (along with all the test variations) on Instagram. Ever since that day I’ve gotten message, after massage asking when I will be sharing the final recipe. I was going to wait until October to share pumpkin recipes. But after receiving so many messages, I’m realizing that you guys want it now.
So here is it, pumpkin bread…but with all my own little twists. Because you all know me, I love to give recipes my own spin.
This isn’t your average pumpkin bread. It’s so much better than what you’d find at the coffee shop. And oh my gosh, it’s incredibly moist, so delicious, and easy too. Just one bowl and pantry ingredients!
And…I’m not saying this is healthy, BUT it’s sweetened with bananas and maple syrup and made using coconut oil.
So hey, it’s at least healthier!
I have to say, this bread did take me a while to get just right. I even made it one last time yesterday, just to be sure it was ready to share. But I can confidently say that this pumpkin bread is pretty close to perfect.
Think sweet, super moist (so sorry if you hate that word, but I just don’t know how else to describe it), filled with flavors of pumpkin spice, and swirled with rich cream cheese. The best way to welcome in autumn, right?
Yes, obviously.
Here is how I make this easy pumpkin bread
One of the keys to this recipe is the bananas. But here’s the thing, you can barely taste the bananas, and that’s kind of the goal. Instead, the bananas help lend moisture and sweetness to the bread without actually having to add in lots of butter and sugar. It works SO well. Better than regular banana-less pumpkin bread.
If I wouldn’t have had so many brown bananas on the counter I never would have thought to add them to this pumpkin bread. But I am so glad I did, it’s a game-changer.
Be sure to use extra brown bananas that are mushy and a couple of days past their prime. This will give you the best results.
Once the bananas are well mashed, add in all the other wet ingredients, then stir in the dry.
I used maple syrup as the sweetener. Mostly because I LOVE the warming flavor it adds to baked goods this time of year. Coconut oil keeps the bread moist, and a touch of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice add in all the cozy flavors.
Tip: If you love baking with pumpkin during the fall, stock up now with this 12-pack of organic pumpkin. This is not an ad, it’s just what (and how) I buy my canned pumpkin. Plus, I love that I never run out…even when the grocery store has a shortage.
Ok, moving on. Divide the batter between two bread pans, swirl in the cream cheese, then finish each loaf with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The cream cheese and the cinnamon sugar are not a MUST, but they sure are DELICIOUS.
Now, bake and wait…the absolute hardest part. But the upside is that the house smells incredible as this bread bakes away in the oven.
That final (extra special) finishing touch
While the bread bakes, mix together a little butter and maple syrup to create a salted maple butter for serving.
Is this really needed? No, but as I said above, it adds that extra special finishing touch. Especially if you plan to enjoy this warm. There’s nothing better than warm cream cheese pumpkin bread and a light smear of salty, maple butter.
I know it’s only Tuesday, but seeing how easy this is, I’m thinking some afternoon baking sounds just perfect.
Live up the season of cozy, and bake this up today, tomorrow, or this weekend…just do it soon. Freeze one loaf for an “emergency” (your family shows up unannounced for Sunday morning brunch). Or be extra generous and make your best friend’s week by wrapping this up and leaving it at their doorstep after work. Trust me, they will love you forever.
Looking for more pumpkin recipes? Try one of these…
6 Ingredient Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Cream Cheese Swirled Brown Sugar Pumpkin Coffee Cake
Chai Pumpkin Cake with Maple Browned Butter Frosting
If you make this cream cheese swirled pumpkin banana bread be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
watch the how to video:
Cream Cheese Swirled Pumpkin Bread with Salted Maple Butter
Servings: 18
Calories Per Serving: 297 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 medium overly ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup mashed, see notes)
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup melted coconut oil (see notes)
- 2/3 cup maple syrup
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup cinnamon sugar
Salted Maple Butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 2 (9x5 inch) bread pans.2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mashed bananas, pumpkin, coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, mix until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared bread pans. 3. Place the cream cheese in a gallon size zip-top bag. Snip a small opening off of the corner of the bag. Squeeze out teaspoon size amounts directly into the pumpkin batter, using 4 ounces of cream cheese per bread pan. Gently swirl the cream cheese. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over top the batter.4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until center is just set. 5. Meanwhile, make the maple butter. In a small bowl, combine the butter and maple syrup.6. Remove the bread and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting...or just eat it warm with a smear of maple butter (you should do this!). Enjoy!
Notes
To Replace the Banana: use an additional 3/4 cup pumpkin or unsweetened applesauce. But again, I like the bread best with bananas. You do not taste them.
To replace the Coconut Oil: use an equal amount of melted butter.
To Freeze: Bake as directed, cool each loaf completely, then tightly wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze in a freezer bag or freezer safe container for up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, or on the counter for a few hours.
To Make Gluten Free: Use an equal amount of your favorite gluten free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. I recommend Cup4Cup gluten free flour.
Storing: this bread keeps well for 3-4 days at room temperature.
This post was originally published on September 24, 2019
I have a question.
Is the measurement for the coconut oil before or after it’s melted?
Hey Becky,
It is after it has been melted! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Was I supposed to use all of the cinnamon sugar? It seems like a ton, and I totally used it all between the two pans LOL. Haha Oh well cinnamon sugar is always amazing
Haha you do you! I love that you used it all, I mean that is definitely what my little sister Asher does with hers! Thank you for trying this one, Cari! xTieghan
There wasn’t enough batter for two normal sized loaves and I feel the cream cheese needs to be whipped or something in order to be swirled in. It tasted good though!
Thank you so much Tricia! I am really glad this turned out well for you! xTieghan
If I’m unable to get Canned Pumpkin Purée, as
I think they don’t sell that in Australia. How can I achieve the same result? Boiled pumpkin mashed? What pumpkin do you think would work best and would it the the same quantity.
Thankyou 🙂
Hey Nazia,
I would probably roast your pumpkin and then make it into a puree. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
The overall flavor of this bread was really good, but I found it actually a little too moist for my liking and will probably try one of your other pumpkin breads next!
Thank you so much Laura! xTieghan
Hi there! Do you think white chocolate chips would taste good in this? I don’t have cream cheese, so thinking of adding in something chocolaty
Hey Leah,
Sure that would be fun! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Phenomenal, T! ❤️❤️
Thank you Sheila! xTieghan
Wow, this is delicious and oh so fall! It’s such a soft, moist bread. We are on day three of slicing it and it’s held it’s consistency really well. Yum!
Thank you so much Shelby! xTieghan
You can definitely taste the banana and the cream cheese should have been sweetened. Not good!!
Hi Ann! I am sorry this did not turn out well for you. Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
Hi, tried this recipe today and my bread came out very dense and tasting like bananas. Wondering what I can do differently next time?
Hey Liz,
So sorry you had issues with the bread. Did you adjust the recipe at all? Was your baking soda and powder fresh? Let me know how I can help. xTieghan
Can you make this one without the cream cheese? Or do you need to add something if you take out the cream cheese to balance it out?
Hey Kelley,
You can just omit the cream cheese. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Could you make this using frozen bananas? Mine are ready now b tin want to wait until the weekend to make it
Hey,
Yes just be sure to thaw them. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hey Teighan! I really love doing your recipes with my siblings or as summer fun, or whenever I need a break from school. But sometimes baking can be super difficult for me and make me super stressed, especially with loaf pans- I never know what’s happening in the oven. If you don’t mind me asking, what loaf pan do you use? I’m sure if I upgraded form a glass one I’d get better results? Any tips as to why my breads always completely deflate when out of the oven (COMPLETELY!)
Hey Yaminah,
I love USA loaf pans, they are the best! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Could I make this in a muffin pan instead? If so, what would be the temperature and amount of time? Excited to bake these for the office
Hey Anita,
Yes you could bake these as muffins, I would keep the temp the same but reduce your baking time to 25-30 minutes, just be sure to keep an eye on them:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I am dying to make this today but only have 1 loaf pan or a bundt pan. Can I use the bundt pan instead and will I cook it the same temp and time?
Hey Nancy,
I have not tested this in a bundt pan, but it might work! I would just keep an eye on the bread and adjust the baking time accordingly. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan