Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
If you’re craving a sweet treat that’s bursting with bright citrus flavor and irresistibly creamy texture, this Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe is exactly what you need. Picture a tender, moist lemon-infused loaf with a luscious swirl of tangy cream cheese inside and a glossy lemon glaze on top. It’s the perfect balance of zesty and rich, comforting and refreshing, making it an absolute showstopper for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon tea. Once you try this bread, it will quickly become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create the perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Each one has a special role, whether it’s providing structure, moisture, tang, or that fresh lemony pop that makes this bread unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the bread, giving it a soft and tender crumb.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure the bread rises beautifully and stays light.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich moisture and buttery flavor, essential for that tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bread while helping to create a golden crust.
- Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients, giving the bread a perfect texture.
- Sour cream and milk: Together they keep the bread moist and add a slight tanginess that pairs beautifully with lemon.
- Lemon zest and fresh lemon juice: The star flavoring elements, delivering bright, lively citrus notes in every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a dreamy warmth that complements the lemon perfectly.
- Cream cheese (for the layer): Softened and combined with sugar and egg yolk, creating a creamy, dreamy filling inside the bread.
- Powdered sugar (for the glaze): Whisked with lemon juice to form a shiny, tangy topping that’s pure magic.
How to Make Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan. This step is easy but crucial—it ensures your bread bakes evenly and won’t stick, making it easier to remove once it’s perfectly golden and baked through.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Together
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining these first allows the leavening and salt to be evenly distributed throughout the flour, so your bread rises uniformly and flavors develop consistently.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, which helps give your bread a tender, airy texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Dairy
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully absorbed before adding the next to maintain the batter’s smoothness. Then mix in the sour cream, milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. This combination keeps the batter moist and imparts a bright, fresh lemon flavor with a hint of vanilla warmth.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps the bread light rather than dense, with a soft crumb you’ll love.
Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Layer
In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. This filling adds an indulgent, luscious layer right in the center of the bread that takes the flavor to the next level.
Step 7: Assemble the Loaf
Pour half of the lemon batter into the greased loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter. Then carefully pour the remaining batter on top and gently smooth the surface. This layering technique creates that iconic cream cheese swirl inside.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will fill with the heavenly aroma of lemon and vanilla, hinting at the deliciousness to come. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: Add the Lemon Glaze
Whisk powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice until smooth and drizzle it over the cooled loaf. This bright, glossy glaze seals in moisture and adds a perfect finishing touch of tart sweetness that ties all the flavors together.
How to Serve Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
Garnishes
Simple is best when it comes to garnishing this bread. A sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest or a few small edible flowers can add an elegant burst of color and extra lemony punch. You can also dust a tiny bit of powdered sugar on top for a subtle frosted look that’s irresistible at first sight.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs amazingly well with a cup of hot tea or freshly brewed coffee, enhancing your mid-morning or afternoon snack. For a more substantial brunch, serve slices alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream to complement the zesty sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Slice the bread thinly and serve it toasted with a smear of butter or your favorite marmalade. You can also cut it into cubes and serve as part of a dessert charcuterie board with nuts, cheeses, and fruits to impress with texture and flavor contrasts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover lemon cream cheese bread stays fresh for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Keeping it chilled preserves the cream cheese layer and glaze texture, maintaining that deliciously moist bite every time you indulge.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this bread freezes beautifully without the glaze. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw over several hours in the fridge before glazing and enjoying.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy the bread again, heat slices in a toaster oven or microwave until just warm. Avoid overheating to keep the cream cheese filling creamy and soft. Then, drizzle with fresh glaze for that perfect finishing touch.
FAQs
Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe?
While low-fat cream cheese can work, the bread’s texture and richness might be slightly less creamy and indulgent. For the best flavor and texture, full-fat cream cheese is recommended.
What can I substitute for sour cream if I don’t have any?
You can substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. They provide similar acidity and moisture, keeping the bread tender and flavorful.
Is it necessary to add the cream cheese layer, or can I omit it?
The cream cheese layer is what makes this lemon bread stand out with its creamy surprise. Omitting it will result in a traditional lemon loaf, which is still delicious but missing that signature richness.
How can I make the lemon glaze thicker or thinner?
Adjust the lemon juice quantity in the glaze to reach your preferred consistency. Use more lemon juice for a thinner glaze that drips beautifully, or add extra powdered sugar for a thicker, more spreadable glaze.
Can I add nuts or poppy seeds to this lemon cream cheese bread?
Absolutely! Adding ¼ cup of chopped nuts or a tablespoon of poppy seeds to the batter can add wonderful texture and flavor complexity, complementing the citrus and cream cheese perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe is pure sunshine in loaf form. Its perfect blend of tangy lemon, creamy filling, and tender crumb makes every bite feel like a special occasion. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a delightful new treat, give this recipe a try and watch it become a cherished favorite at your table.
Print
Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Irresistible Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a tender, moist quick bread bursting with bright lemon flavor and a luscious cream cheese layer. Perfect as a dessert or sweet snack, it features a soft crumb infused with lemon zest and juice, topped with a tangy lemon glaze for added zest and sweetness.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly and set it aside to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to combine evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar. Then add sour cream, milk, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Batter Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread light.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Bread: Pour half of the lemon batter into the prepared loaf pan. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over this layer. Carefully pour the remaining batter on top of the cream cheese layer and gently smooth the surface with a spatula.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean when the bread is ready.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Lemon Glaze and Finish: While the bread cools, whisk together powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice to desired consistency for the glaze. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled bread just before slicing and serving for a bright, sweet finish.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- This bread freezes well if you omit the glaze before freezing; glaze can be added after thawing.
- For natural color enhancement without affecting flavor, add a pinch of turmeric powder to the batter.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
