Description
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread bursting with fresh blueberries and a rich cream cheese swirl. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, this loaf combines the sweetness of berries with a hint of lemon zest, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan thoroughly to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream the Butter and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then stir in the vanilla extract for a touch of aromatic sweetness.
- Combine and Add Blueberries: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the batter. Fold in the blueberries gently, along with the optional lemon zest, to disperse them evenly without breaking.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, leveling the top lightly. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the bread is golden brown on top.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set before transferring it carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy on the bottom.
Notes
- Use fresh or frozen blueberries; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent the batter from turning purple.
- The optional lemon zest adds a fresh citrus note but can be omitted if desired.
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for smooth creaming.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour to keep the bread tender.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
