Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful fusion of tangy lemon flavors and rich cream cheese, resulting in a moist and flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Here's a recipe to guide you through making this delicious bread:
Ingredients
For the Bread:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
8 oz sour cream
½ cup canola oil
Zest of 2 lemons
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
⅓ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a standard loaf pan to prevent sticking.
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.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
Incorporate Dry into Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to ensure a tender crumb.
Prepare the Cream Cheese Swirl:
In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Bread:
Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
Spoon half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter. Using a knife or skewer, gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter to create a marbled effect.
Repeat with the remaining batter and cream cheese mixture, swirling again on top.
Bake:
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes. To prevent over-browning, cover the bread with foil during the last 20-30 minutes of baking.
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve:
Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This ensures the cream cheese sets properly and makes slicing easier.
This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread offers a harmonious blend of citrus brightness and creamy richness, making it a versatile addition to any meal or a delightful standalone treat.
