Description
Zesty lemon cream cheese bread delivers a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. Rich, moist crumb and creamy texture make this classic quick bread irresistible for breakfast or afternoon snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.75 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 0.5 cup sour cream
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Filling:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 0.25 cup sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and airy, creating a smooth base for the bread.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time into the butter mixture, then fold in lemon zest, sour cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well blended.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Prepare the cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Transfer half the batter into the prepared loaf pan, creating an even base layer.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the first batter layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Top with remaining batter, gently smoothing the surface to create a uniform appearance.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow the bread to cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure clean, neat cuts.
Notes
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to maintain a light, airy texture and prevent overmixing, which can lead to tough bread.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same tender crumb.
- Enhance lemon flavor by adding a tablespoon of lemon extract or using Meyer lemons for a more complex, sweeter citrus profile.
- Prevent cream cheese layer from sinking by chilling the mixture briefly and spreading it carefully between batter layers to ensure even distribution.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg