Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread recipe

There are certain recipes that just have “weekend morning” written all over them. Recipes that beckon you to slow down, savor the process, and fill your home with the most incredible aromas. This Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is undeniably one of those recipes. From the moment the sweet, buttery scent of baking bread mingles with the bright, zesty notes of lemon and the subtle tang of cream cheese, you know you’re in for a treat. I first baked this bread on a whim, needing something special for a Sunday brunch with friends, and it was an absolute revelation.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to be this good. The bread itself is wonderfully moist and tender, studded with juicy bursts of blueberries that practically explode with flavor in your mouth. But the real star of the show is the ribbon of creamy, tangy cream cheese filling that runs through the center. It’s like a hidden pocket of cheesecake nestled within the soft bread, adding a luxurious richness that elevates every bite. And then, the lemon glaze – oh, the lemon glaze! It’s the perfect finishing touch, adding a bright, citrusy zing that cuts through the sweetness and ties all the flavors together beautifully.

My family, who are usually pretty vocal (and honest!) about my baking experiments, were completely smitten. Slices disappeared at an alarming rate, accompanied by satisfied sighs and requests for “just one more.” It’s become a weekend staple in our house, perfect for leisurely brunches, afternoon tea, or even a delightful dessert. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make! Don’t let the “cream cheese filling” intimidate you – it’s a breeze to whip up. If you’re looking for a show-stopping bread that’s both impressive and incredibly delicious, look no further. This Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is guaranteed to become your new baking obsession, just like it became mine.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients to create a bread that is anything but ordinary. Here’s a detailed list of everything you’ll need to bake your own slice of sunshine:

• For the Bread:
  • 2 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the bread. Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag as this can compact the flour and lead to a denser bread.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the bread rise and become light and airy. Ensure your baking soda is fresh for optimal results.
  • ½ teaspoon Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness. Use table salt or fine sea salt.
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter, softened: Softened butter is crucial for creating a tender and moist bread. Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature, but not melted. You should be able to easily press a finger into it, but it should still hold its shape. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in the recipe.
  • 1 ¾ cups Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the bread. It also contributes to browning and caramelization.
  • 3 Large Eggs: Eggs provide structure, richness, and moisture to the bread. Use large eggs at room temperature for better emulsification and volume.
  • 1 cup Sour Cream: Sour cream adds moisture and a subtle tanginess to the bread, contributing to its tender crumb. Full-fat sour cream is recommended for the best flavor and texture. You can substitute with full-fat Greek yogurt in a pinch, but the tanginess will be slightly less pronounced.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, but imitation vanilla extract can be used if needed.
  • ¼ cup Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, citrusy flavor of the bread. Bottled lemon juice can be used, but fresh juice will provide a much more vibrant and authentic lemon taste.
  • Zest of 2 Lemons: Lemon zest is where most of the lemon flavor resides. Use a microplane or fine grater to zest the lemons, being careful to only zest the yellow part and avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
  • 2 cups Fresh Blueberries: Fresh blueberries are preferred for their juicy burst of flavor and vibrant color. If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter. Tossing frozen blueberries with a tablespoon of flour before adding them can help prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread.
• For the Cream Cheese Filling:
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened: Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the richest and creamiest filling. Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth, lump-free filling.
  • ⅓ cup Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the cream cheese filling and helps create a smooth texture.
  • 1 Large Egg Yolk: Egg yolk adds richness, binding, and structure to the cream cheese filling.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cream cheese filling.
• For the Lemon Glaze (Optional, but highly recommended!):
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) forms the base of the glaze, providing sweetness and structure.
  • 2-3 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice thins the powdered sugar to create a glaze and adds a bright, citrusy flavor. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to achieve your desired glaze consistency.

Instructions

Baking this delightful Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is easier than you might think! Follow these detailed, step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Alternatively, you can use baking spray with flour for easier release. Properly preparing the pan is crucial to prevent the bread from sticking and ensure easy removal after baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures the ingredients are evenly distributed and prevents clumps of baking soda. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the mixture, which contributes to a tender crumb. Cream for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is pale and noticeably lighter.
4. Beat in Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This helps create a smooth emulsion and prevents the batter from curdling.
5. Incorporate Sour Cream and Vanilla: Stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract until just combined. Do not overmix at this stage. Overmixing after adding wet ingredients can develop gluten and result in a tougher bread.
6. Add Lemon Juice and Zest: Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. The batter may appear slightly curdled at this point due to the acidity of the lemon juice, but this is normal and will not affect the final product.
7. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Mix only until the flour is incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing at this stage will develop gluten and lead to a dense, tough bread.
8. Fold in Blueberries: Gently fold in the fresh blueberries using a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the batter. Be careful not to overmix, as this can burst the blueberries and turn the batter blue.
9. Prepare Cream Cheese Filling: In a separate medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Use an electric mixer or whisk to ensure the filling is lump-free.
10. Beat in Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined. The cream cheese filling should be smooth and slightly thickened.
11. Assemble the Bread: Pour about half of the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
12. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling: Spoon the cream cheese filling evenly over the batter in the loaf pan, creating a ribbon down the center. Try to keep the filling slightly away from the edges of the pan so it doesn’t stick during baking.
13. Top with Remaining Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining bread batter over the cream cheese filling, spreading it evenly to cover the filling completely.
14. Bake the Bread: Bake in the preheated oven for 55-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread (not the cream cheese filling) comes out clean. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 55 minutes. The bread should be golden brown on top and spring back lightly when gently pressed.
15. Cool in Pan: Let the bread cool in the loaf pan for 10-15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling in the pan allows the bread to set slightly and prevents it from crumbling when removed.
16. Prepare Lemon Glaze (Optional): While the bread is cooling, prepare the lemon glaze, if desired. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh lemon juice until smooth and desired consistency is reached. Add more lemon juice for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker glaze.
17. Glaze and Serve: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per Serving)

Please note that the nutritional information below is an estimate and can vary based on specific ingredient brands, portion sizes, and variations in the recipe. This information is intended as a general guide only.

Servings: Approximately 12 slices

Per Serving (Estimated):

• Calories: 350-450 kcal
• Protein: 5-7g
• Fat: 18-25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10-15g
• Carbohydrates: 40-50g
  • Sugars: 25-35g
• Fiber: 1-2g
• Sodium: 150-250mg

Key Nutritional Considerations:

• Moderate Calorie Content: This bread is a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. The calorie count per serving is moderate to high due to the sugar, butter, and cream cheese.
• Source of Carbohydrates: The bread is primarily a source of carbohydrates from the flour and sugar.
• Moderate Fat Content: The fat content comes from the butter, cream cheese, and eggs. While some of this fat is saturated, it also includes unsaturated fats.
• Lower in Fiber: This bread is not a significant source of dietary fiber.
• Contains Sugar: The recipe contains a significant amount of sugar, contributing to the calorie and carbohydrate content.

Tips for a Slightly Healthier Version (Modifications will affect taste and texture):

• Reduce Sugar: You can reduce the sugar in the bread and cream cheese filling by about ¼ cup each, but this will affect the sweetness and texture.
• Use Whole Wheat Flour (Partially): Substitute up to half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slight increase in fiber. This will result in a denser bread.
• Use Light Cream Cheese: You can use light cream cheese to reduce the fat content, but it may affect the creaminess of the filling.
• Reduce Butter (Slightly): Reducing the butter slightly might be possible, but it will impact the moistness and tenderness of the bread.
• Increase Blueberries: Adding more blueberries will increase the fruit content and potentially some fiber and antioxidants, but will also add slightly more natural sugar.

Preparation Time

This Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is wonderfully rewarding to bake, and while it requires a few steps, the preparation time is manageable, especially when broken down:

• Preparation Time: 30-40 minutes (This includes measuring ingredients, preparing batters and filling, and assembling the bread).
• Baking Time: 55-70 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1-2 hours (Allow bread to cool completely before glazing and slicing).
• Total Time: Approximately 2 hours 25 minutes – 3 hours 50 minutes (including cooling).

Tips to Manage and Speed Up Preparation:

• Measure Ingredients in Advance: Measure out all your dry and wet ingredients before you start baking. This “mise en place” will streamline the process and make baking more efficient.
• Soften Butter and Cream Cheese Ahead: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature well in advance of baking. This will make creaming and mixing much easier and faster.
• Zest and Juice Lemons Simultaneously: Zest the lemons before juicing them to make the process more efficient.
• Prepare Glaze While Bread Cools: Prepare the lemon glaze while the bread is cooling so it’s ready to drizzle as soon as the bread is cool enough.
• Bake While Doing Other Tasks: While the bread is baking, you can use the time to clean up your kitchen, prepare other brunch items, or simply relax and enjoy the aroma filling your home.

How to Serve

Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is incredibly versatile and can be served for a variety of occasions. Here are some delicious serving suggestions:

• Perfect for Brunch or Breakfast:
  • Weekend Brunch Centerpiece: Serve slices of warm or room temperature bread as a star attraction at your weekend brunch spread.
  • Breakfast Treat: Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee or tea for a special breakfast treat.
  • Alongside Fresh Fruit: Pair slices with a side of fresh berries, sliced peaches, or a fruit salad for a balanced brunch.
  • With Yogurt and Granola: Crumble leftover bread over yogurt and granola for a delightful breakfast parfait.
• Delicious Dessert or Afternoon Tea:
  • Afternoon Tea Treat: Serve slices alongside other sweet treats and tea for a classic afternoon tea spread.
  • Light Dessert: Enjoy a slice as a satisfying yet not-too-heavy dessert after dinner.
  • With a Scoop of Ice Cream: For an extra indulgent dessert, serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or lemon sorbet.
  • Dust with Powdered Sugar (Instead of Glaze): For a less sweet option, skip the lemon glaze and simply dust the cooled bread with powdered sugar before serving.
• Serving Occasions:
  • Holiday Brunches: Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or Christmas morning brunch.
  • Potlucks and Gatherings: A crowd-pleasing bread to bring to potlucks, picnics, or family gatherings.
  • Gifts: Wrap slices or a whole loaf in cellophane and ribbon to give as a thoughtful homemade gift.
  • Special Occasions: Bake this bread to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or any special occasion that calls for a delicious treat.
• Serving Temperature:
  • Warm: Slightly warm slices are incredibly comforting, especially when fresh from the oven (allow to cool slightly first!).
  • Room Temperature: Delicious and convenient for serving at room temperature for brunches, potlucks, or afternoon tea.
  • Slightly Chilled (Optional): Some people enjoy it slightly chilled, especially on warm days, but the texture is best at room temperature or slightly warm.

Additional Tips for Baking Success

To ensure your Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread turns out perfectly every time, keep these five essential tips in mind:

• Properly Measure Flour: Accurately measuring flour is crucial for baking. Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this compresses the flour and can lead to a dry, dense bread. Using a kitchen scale to measure flour by weight is even more accurate for consistent results.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter, cream cheese, and eggs is essential for proper emulsification and a smooth batter. Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily, creating a cohesive batter that results in a tender and evenly textured bread. Allow butter and cream cheese to sit at room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes before baking.
• Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter, especially after adding the flour, develops gluten, which can result in a tough and dense bread. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients only until just combined, and no streaks of flour remain. Gentle folding is key, especially when adding the blueberries.
• Check for Doneness Properly: Baking times can vary depending on ovens. Start checking for doneness around 55 minutes using a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread (avoiding the cream cheese filling). The toothpick should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If wet batter clings to the toothpick, bake for a few more minutes and check again. Overbaking can lead to a dry bread.
• Cool Completely Before Glazing (and Slicing): Resist the temptation to glaze and slice the bread while it’s still warm. Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack before glazing. This allows the bread to set properly and prevents the glaze from melting and running off. Cooling also makes slicing easier and prevents the bread from crumbling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Here are some common questions and answers to help you confidently bake and enjoy this delightful Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread:

Q1: Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh?

A1: Yes, you can use frozen blueberries. Do not thaw them before adding them to the batter. Toss the frozen blueberries with a tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread and from bleeding their color into the batter as much. The baking time might need to be increased slightly by a few minutes when using frozen blueberries.

Q2: Can I make this bread ahead of time?

A2: Absolutely! This bread is perfect for making ahead of time. You can bake the bread a day or two in advance and store it tightly wrapped at room temperature. Glaze the bread just before serving for the best presentation. The flavors actually meld together and deepen overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.

Q3: How should I store leftover Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread?

A3: Store leftover Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can wrap slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw frozen bread overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.

Q4: Can I make this recipe as muffins instead of a loaf?

A4: Yes, you can adapt this recipe to make muffins! Line a muffin tin with paper liners. Fill each muffin cup about ⅔ full with bread batter, then add a spoonful of cream cheese filling to the center, and top with a little more bread batter. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Muffins will bake faster than a loaf, so adjust baking time accordingly.

Q5: Can I add nuts to this bread?

A5: Yes, adding nuts would be a delicious addition! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds would complement the blueberry lemon flavors beautifully. You can add about ½ cup of chopped nuts to the bread batter along with the blueberries. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts on top of the bread before baking for added texture and visual appeal

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