This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a perfect balance of tart lemon flavor and creamy sweetness, enhanced by a beautiful cream cheese swirl. The moist, tender crumb makes it a delightful treat for any time of day.
Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful, moist loaf that marries the bright flavors of lemon with a rich, creamy cheese swirl. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this bread is sure to impress with its tangy, sweet taste and beautiful marbled appearance.
Ingredients:
- For the Bread:
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 8 oz sour cream
- ½ cup canola oil
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a standard loaf pan generously to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and canola oil. Mix until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Set the batter aside.
4. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl:
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
5. Assemble the Bread:
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Spoon about half of the cream cheese mixture on top of the batter. Use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Pour the remaining batter over the cream cheese layer.
- Spoon the remaining cream cheese mixture on top and carefully swirl again with a knife.
6. Bake:
- Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes.
- If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the bread with foil for the last 20-30 minutes of baking.
- The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This ensures the cream cheese swirl sets properly and makes slicing easier.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Cream Cheese Bread:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for a smooth swirl.
- Fresh Lemons: Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Prevent Overmixing: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid a dense texture.
- Swirling Technique: Use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter for a marbled effect. Avoid over-swirling to maintain distinct layers.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bread in the last 20-30 minutes of baking. Cover with foil if the top is browning too quickly to prevent burning.
Enjoy this delectable Lemon Cream Cheese Bread with a cup of tea or coffee for a refreshing and satisfying treat!
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