Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Introduction

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a soft, moist quick bread bursting with fresh lemon flavor and a rich cream cheese swirl.
It offers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making it ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat.
This easy homemade loaf looks impressive while using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Stir in the milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
7. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
8. Pour half of the lemon batter into the prepared loaf pan.
9. Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter.
10. Top with the remaining lemon batter and gently swirl with a knife.
11. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
12. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Description

This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread features a tender crumb with bright citrus flavor in every bite.
The creamy cheesecake-style swirl adds richness and contrast, while the lemon zest enhances
both aroma and taste. Each slice is moist, soft, and irresistibly delicious.

Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
• Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth swirl.
• If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
• For extra lemon flavor, drizzle with a simple lemon glaze after baking.

Corrections

• Bread too dense: Avoid overmixing the batter.
• Cream cheese sinking: Swirl gently and evenly.
• Center underbaked: Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing.
• Dry bread: Check oven temperature and avoid overbaking.

Enjoy

Slice and enjoy this Lemon Cream Cheese Bread on its own or with a dusting of powdered sugar.
It pairs beautifully with coffee or tea and tastes even better the next day.