Description
Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful treat that combines the bright tang of fresh lemon with the creamy richness of cream cheese. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack, this bread is moist, flavorful, and irresistibly soft. It’s simple to make but fancy enough to impress guests—an all-around winner for lemon lovers!
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Ingredients
Scale
- For the Bread:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the Lemon Glaze (optional):
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Make the Bread Batter
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in the yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
Step 4: Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 5: Assemble the Bread
- Pour half of the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter, spreading it carefully to create an even layer.
- Top with the remaining bread batter, gently spreading it to cover the filling.
Step 6: Bake the Bread
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the bread (not the cream cheese layer) comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Add the Lemon Glaze (Optional)
- In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread. Let it set before slicing.
Notes
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for a smooth batter and filling.
- Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest give the best flavor.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can make the bread dense—mix just until combined.
- Cool Completely: Let the bread cool fully before slicing to maintain its structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Cuisine: American