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Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 7 reviews

This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a moist and tangy quick bread featuring vibrant lemon zest and juice combined with a luscious cream cheese swirl. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, it’s a delightful treat for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine sugar, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and canola oil. Whisk or mix until the batter is smooth and fully incorporated.
  3. Sift dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and a light texture.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until the batter is fully combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. Set aside.
  5. Prepare cream cheese swirl: In a small bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
  6. Layer batter and cream cheese: Pour half of the lemon batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon about half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter and use a knife to carefully swirl it through for a marbled effect.
  7. Add remaining layers: Pour the rest of the lemon batter over the swirl, then spoon on the remaining cream cheese mixture. Swirl again carefully to create an attractive marbled pattern on top.
  8. Bake the bread: Place the loaf pan into the oven and bake for 65-70 minutes. During the last 20-30 minutes, cover the top loosely with foil to prevent excessive browning.
  9. Cool before slicing: Remove from oven and let the bread cool completely in the pan. This cooling step allows the cream cheese swirl to set properly for clean slices.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to mix smoothly without lumps.
  • Use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor and aroma.
  • Covering the bread with foil in the last part of baking prevents over-browning while ensuring the center is fully cooked.
  • Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to keep the cream cheese swirl intact.
  • This bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

Nutrition

Keywords: Lemon cream cheese bread, quick bread, lemon bread recipe, cream cheese swirl bread, citrus dessert bread

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/lemon-cream-cheese-bread-recipe/