This strawberry banana bread is moist and packed with sweet banana flavor and bursts of fresh strawberries in every bite. The loaf bakes up tender with a rich, lightly spiced crumb and is coated with creamy strawberry cream cheese frosting for an extra layer of flavor. It’s simple to make with pantry staples, stays soft for days, and is perfect for breakfast, snacking, or an easy dessert.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x5" loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine. You can use a fork, potato masher, or even a whisk if your bananas are very soft.
450 grams overripe bananas
Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil to the mashed bananas and whisk until fully combined. Mix in the eggs, vanilla extract, and vinegar, whisking until the mixture is smooth and cohesive.
Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. When a few streaks of flour are still visible, fold in the chopped strawberries and continue mixing just until the batter comes together and no dry spots remain. Be careful not to overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs attached. If the top is browning too quickly, loosely tent the loaf with foil for the remaining bake time.
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully lift it out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat the room temperature cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
113 grams full fat cream cheese, 56 grams unsalted butter
Add the jam and vanilla and mix until combined.
90 grams strawberry jam, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the powdered sugar, scraping down the bowl as needed, until smooth. Mix in a tiny drop of red food coloring for a soft pink color if desired.
90 grams powdered sugar
Once the bread is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve.
Notes
Make sure your loaf pan has at least 1 pound capacity. This recipe makes a lot of batter and might overflow in a smaller pan.Storage: Store the frosted banana bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If you prefer a softer texture, let slices sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. If the loaf is unfrosted, you can keep it covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.Freezing: For best results, freeze the banana bread without the frosting. Let the loaf cool completely, then wrap it (or slices) tightly in plastic wrap and a layer of foil, or place it in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then frost before serving.