Decadent Red Velvet Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Icing: Your New Favorite Comfort Food
There’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked bread filling your home, especially when the weather turns chilly. This particular recipe for **Red Velvet Banana Bread** with a luscious **Cream Cheese Icing** came to life thanks to a special request from a cherished follower, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the delightful outcome. It’s the quintessential treat, pairing perfectly with a warm cup of tea or coffee, offering a moment of pure bliss in every bite.
Red velvet flavor, with its intriguing blend of subtle cocoa, tangy buttermilk, and that signature vibrant red hue, transforms traditional banana bread into something truly extraordinary. While similar to a classic cake or loaf, the unique combination of ingredients here—especially the use of buttermilk, a touch of cocoa powder, and, of course, the distinctive red food coloring—creates a moist, tender crumb that’s simply irresistible. The end result is a scrumptiously rich and satisfying loaf that’s sure to impress both sight and taste.
But what truly elevates this **Red Velvet Banana Bread** to an ultimate indulgence is the silky-smooth **Cream Cheese Icing**. While you could certainly enjoy the loaf plain to save on points, we wholeheartedly recommend not skipping the icing. After all, it’s cream cheese icing! It provides the perfect sweet tanginess and creamy texture that completes the red velvet experience. This recipe makes 10 generous servings, each coming in at 5 smart points, making it a perfectly balanced treat for those monitoring their intake without compromising on flavor.
Whether you’re looking for a comforting snack, a delightful dessert, or a special breakfast addition, this **Red Velvet Banana Bread** is an exceptional choice. It’s a fantastic way to use up those ripe bananas on your counter and create a show-stopping bake that tastes as good as it looks. Get ready to bake up a batch of pure joy that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Why This Red Velvet Banana Bread Stands Out
Our **Red Velvet Banana Bread recipe** is more than just a combination of two beloved classics; it’s a culinary fusion that delivers on all fronts: flavor, texture, and visual appeal. The bananas bring a natural sweetness and incredible moisture, ensuring a tender loaf that won’t dry out. The buttermilk reacts with the baking soda, contributing to its light texture and a subtle tang that complements the cocoa beautifully. This isn’t an overwhelmingly chocolatey bread; instead, it offers that delicate, complex flavor profile characteristic of authentic red velvet.
For those mindful of their dietary choices, this recipe cleverly uses low-fat buttermilk and light cream cheese for the icing, making it a guilt-free indulgence. Each slice (with icing!) is assigned 5 smart points across all three MyWW programs (blue, green, and purple) or 3 points plus on the old program. If you opt to enjoy the loaf without the icing, you’ll save a point, bringing it down even further. This flexibility allows you to savor the rich flavors while adhering to your wellness goals, proving that delicious treats don’t have to be off-limits.
The vibrant red color, achieved with just a tablespoon of food coloring, makes this loaf a feast for the eyes before it even reaches your palate. It’s an ideal centerpiece for brunches, holiday gatherings, or simply to brighten a gloomy day. Imagine slicing into this beautiful loaf, revealing its stunning crimson crumb topped with a pristine white icing – it’s an experience in itself!
Red velvet banana bread with cream cheese icing
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 liquid egg whites, 1/4 cup
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup low fat buttermilk, 1%
- 2 medium mashed banana’s
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp red food coloring
- FOR THE ICING
- 1/4 cup softened light cream cheese
- 1/4 cup icing sugar, confectionery sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp light butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F, spray a regular sized loaf pan with non stick spray.
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In a bowl whisk your egg, egg whites and sugar together. Add in your buttermilk, mashed banana and vanilla. Mix well.
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Stir in your flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and soda. Then mix in your food coloring.
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Pour batter into loaf pan and bake in oven for approx 45-50 minutes.
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While loaf is baking mix up your icing, cream together your cream cheese, icing sugar, butter and vanilla. Chill icing in fridge. Each serving (with icing) is 5 smart points on all 3 MyWW programs or 3 points plus (old program) if you choose not to make the icing it will be 1 point less.
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Let loaf cool for at least an hour before icing, then cut into 10 pieces after you have iced the loaf, best stored in the fridge.
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Nutritional info per serving (not incl banana) Calories 127…Fat 2.4g..Sat fat 1.3g…Carbs 21.2g….Fiber 0.7g…Sugar 6g… Protein 4.1g..
Additional Info
Tips for Baking the Perfect Red Velvet Banana Bread
Achieving a perfectly moist and flavorful **Red Velvet Banana Bread** is easy with a few key tips:
- Choose Ripe Bananas: The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots on the peel; these are ideal for mashing and incorporating into the batter.
- Don’t Overmix: After adding the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to a tougher, denser loaf rather than the desired tender crumb. A few lumps are perfectly fine!
- Proper Loaf Pan Preparation: Ensure your loaf pan is adequately greased with non-stick spray. You can also line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, to easily lift the cooled loaf out of the pan.
- Check for Doneness: Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven. To check if the bread is done, insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s ready. If it’s still wet, continue baking for a few more minutes.
- Cool Completely Before Icing: This is a crucial step! Attempting to ice a warm loaf will cause the cream cheese icing to melt and slide off. Allow the bread to cool for at least an hour on a wire rack before applying the icing. For best results, chill the icing in the fridge while the bread cools so it’s firm enough to spread evenly.
Variations and Customizations for Your Banana Bread
While this **Red Velvet Banana Bread** is fantastic as is, feel free to get creative with these delicious variations:
- Add-ins: For extra texture and flavor, consider folding in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (white, milk, or dark), chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even dried cranberries into the batter before baking.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the warm flavors of the banana and cocoa. Add 1/4 teaspoon along with the dry ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Option: You can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure your blend contains xanthan gum or add 1/2 tsp per cup of flour if it doesn’t.
- Sweeter Icing: If you prefer a sweeter icing, gradually add a tablespoon or two more of icing sugar until it reaches your desired sweetness and consistency. A tiny splash of lemon juice can also add a nice zing to the cream cheese icing.
- Mini Loaves or Muffins: This recipe can also be baked into mini loaves (adjust baking time to around 25-30 minutes) or muffins (18-22 minutes) for individual portions.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This **Red Velvet Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Icing** is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect as a morning treat with your coffee, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a delightful dessert after dinner. For a truly indulgent experience, serve a slice slightly warmed (if without icing, or carefully if iced) and perhaps with an extra dollop of cream cheese icing.
Because of the cream cheese icing, it is best to store the loaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze individual slices (without icing, or with very firm icing) for longer storage. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently microwave for a quick treat.
Nutritional Insights for a Balanced Indulgence
We believe in enjoying delicious food while staying informed about its nutritional value. Each serving of this **Red Velvet Banana Bread** (with icing), as mentioned, is 5 smart points on all three MyWW programs. The nutritional breakdown per serving (not including the banana, as its exact size can vary) is approximately: Calories 127, Fat 2.4g, Saturated Fat 1.3g, Carbohydrates 21.2g, Fiber 0.7g, Sugar 6g, Protein 4.1g. This carefully calculated profile allows you to indulge in a rich, satisfying treat that fits well within a balanced eating plan, especially when compared to traditional high-calorie desserts. The fiber from the bananas (not included in the breakdown above but definitely present in the actual loaf) also contributes to satiety, making this a satisfying choice.
Your Next Favorite Baking Project Awaits!
This **Red Velvet Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Icing** isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to create something truly special in your kitchen. It beautifully marries the comforting familiarity of banana bread with the sophisticated charm of red velvet, all crowned with a delectable, tangy-sweet frosting. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to form an unforgettable treat that caters to both your cravings and your health-conscious choices.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a weekend indulgence, or simply to fill your home with an irresistible aroma, this loaf is a winner. We encourage you to try this recipe, share it with loved ones, and experience the pure joy that comes from homemade goodness. Don’t forget to savor every single point-friendly bite of this moist, flavorful, and visually stunning red velvet creation. Happy baking!