Lemon Cream Cheese Bread – Tangy, Moist, and Irresistible

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a moist, tangy quick bread with a sweet cream cheese swirl and a bright lemon glaze. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this loaf is bursting with citrus flavor and creamy goodness.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Cream Cheese Swirl:

• 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Glaze (optional):

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, sour cream, and vanilla; mix until combined.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
5. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
6. Pour half the bread batter into the prepared pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture over batter and gently swirl with a knife. Top with remaining batter and smooth the top.
7. Bake 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
8. For glaze, whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bread.

Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
• Let the bread cool completely before glazing for best results.

FAQ

• Can I freeze Lemon Cream Cheese Bread? Yes! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Can I use low-fat cream cheese? Full-fat gives the best texture, but low-fat works in a pinch.

Craving more sweet breads? Check out our Blueberry Biscuits for another delicious treat!