This banana walnut bread with cream cheese frosting is a tender, buttery banana loaf packed with toasted walnuts and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. It is easy to make in one bowl, and the frosting makes it feel like a bakery treat. It works as a dessert, a brunch loaf, or a gift.
Table of Contents
Why This Banana Walnut Bread Works
Ripe bananas and melted butter make the crumb moist and soft, while chopped walnuts add crunch and a slightly bitter, nutty balance to the sweetness. Cream cheese frosting contrasts with the sweet loaf, and adding it only after the bread cools completely keeps it from melting into a puddle.
- Moist loaf with crunchy walnuts.
- Tangy frosting that is quick to whip up.
- One bowl for the batter, no mixer for the loaf.
- Looks bakery-style with almost no effort.
Ingredients
The full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda and a pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Frosting: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/4 cup butter, softened, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet for 3 to 4 minutes for deeper flavor. Let them cool before folding them in.
How to Make Banana Walnut Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
Mix the Batter
Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan. Mash the bananas in a large bowl and stir in the melted butter. Mix in the baking soda and salt, then the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Fold in the flour until just combined, then fold in the walnuts.
Bake
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Tent with foil if the top browns too quickly. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move to a wire rack and cool completely.
Make the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy. Add a teaspoon of milk if it is too thick.
Frost and Serve
Spread the frosting over the cooled loaf and sprinkle with a few extra walnuts. Slice and serve.
How to Serve Banana Walnut Bread
Serve slices with coffee or tea, or warm a slice without frosting for breakfast. For an unfrosted classic, see our banana bread with walnuts or our banana bread recipe.
How to Store and Reheat
Because of the cream cheese frosting, refrigerate the loaf in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The USDA advises not leaving perishable foods out for more than two hours, or one hour above 90°F. Bring slices to room temperature before serving. For freezing, freeze the unfrosted loaf and frost after thawing.
Tips and Variations
- Cool the loaf completely before frosting.
- Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smooth frosting.
- Toast the walnuts for extra flavor.
- Use pecans instead of walnuts.
- Skip the frosting and dust with powdered sugar for a simpler loaf.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the batter.
- Prefer chocolate? Try our moist chocolate chip banana bread.
FAQ
Do I have to frost the banana bread?
No. The loaf is delicious plain. The frosting makes it more of a dessert.
Why is my frosting runny?
The cream cheese or butter was too warm, or the loaf was still warm. Chill the frosting for 15 minutes and cool the loaf fully.
Can I use light cream cheese?
Full-fat gives the best texture. Light cream cheese makes a softer frosting.
How long does frosted banana bread last?
Up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I make it in muffin tins?
Yes. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes and frost once cool.
Banana Walnut Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas mashed
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup walnuts chopped, toasted if desired
- 4 oz cream cheese softened, for the frosting
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened, for the frosting
- 1 cup powdered sugar for the frosting
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for the frosting
Instructions
Cooking
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mash the bananas and stir in the melted butter. Mix in the baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Fold in the flour until just combined, then the walnuts.
- Pour into the pan and bake 55 to 60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then cool completely on a wire rack.
- Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled loaf and sprinkle with extra walnuts.
