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
Scale
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
