Decadent Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe: Perfectly Moist and Tangy
This Decadent Lemon Cream Cheese Bread recipe is perfectly moist, tangy, and rich with citrus flavor — an easy and irresistible quick bread made with real lemon juice and a luscious cream cheese swirl.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: : 1 loaf
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Bread:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Optional Lemon Glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in lemon juice, lemon zest, sour cream, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour half the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Top with remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife for a marbled effect.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Drizzle with lemon glaze once bread is cooled.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, increase lemon zest to 2 tablespoons.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- This bread also freezes well for up to 3 months — wrap tightly in plastic and foil.
