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Soft Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Featured in: Master the Art of Traditional Bread Making

This homemade Lemon Cream Cheese Bread delivers vibrant lemon flavor and creamy swirls in every slice. With easy steps, you'll bake a soft, moist loaf made using pantry staples like butter and fresh lemons. Cream cheese adds richness, making it perfect for breakfast, tea, or brunch. Plus, it stores beautifully for days when sealed right!
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Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Updated on Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:50:25 GMT
Soft Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Pin it
Soft Lemon Cream Cheese Bread | yummygusto.com

This lemon cream cheese bread delivers the perfect balance of bright citrus and rich creaminess in every slice. The tender, moist crumb combines zesty fresh lemons with smooth cream cheese for an irresistible quick bread that's both refreshing and indulgent. A sweet-tart lemon glaze adds the finishing touch, making this bread impossible to resist.

Key Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: Creates a tender, delicate crumb structure
  • Fresh lemons: Provides authentic citrus flavor and natural acidity
  • Block cream cheese: Adds richness and keeps the bread moist
  • Unsalted butter: Contributes tenderness and flavor control
  • Pure vanilla extract: Enhances and balances the citrus notes

Baking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
  2. Beat softened cream cheese until completely smooth. Gradually mix in melted butter.
  3. Zest lemons, avoiding white pith. Roll and juice the lemons.
  4. Whisk dry ingredients thoroughly. Fold in wet ingredients just until combined.
  5. Pour batter into pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until golden and tested done.
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Succulent Lemon Cream Cheese Bread | yummygusto.com

Serving Suggestions

Serve slices slightly warm with honey butter or alongside fresh berries. This bread pairs beautifully with Earl Grey tea or coffee for an elegant brunch offering.

Storage Instructions

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, slice and freeze wrapped portions for up to 3 months.

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Close-up Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe | yummygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze this bread to enjoy later?
Definitely! Wrap it first with plastic and then aluminum foil—this keeps it fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before slicing.
→ How do I check if this bread is baked all the way?
Insert a toothpick into the middle of the loaf. It should come back clean or with just a couple of crumbs. A golden brown top and a slight spring when you press it are other good signs!
→ What if I don’t have fresh lemons? Can bottled juice work?
Fresh is best for flavor, but bottled lemon juice works if needed. Just make sure you still use fresh lemon zest for that zippy lemon taste!
→ Why does the cream cheese layer sometimes settle at the bottom?
This can happen if the cream cheese mixture is too runny. Soften it just enough to blend—don’t let it become liquid—and always use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture.
→ What's the best way to store this bread?
Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for about 5 days. Let it come to room temperature before eating for the softest texture and best flavor.

Soft Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Fresh lemon zest combines with a luxurious cream cheese swirl in this tender Homemade Lemon Cream Cheese Bread, giving you a sweet and tangy loaf that's bursting with flavor.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Rustic Breads

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (1 9-inch loaf)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Bread

01 1 and a half cups of regular flour for baking
02 1 teaspoon of powder that helps your food rise (baking powder)
03 Half a teaspoon of baking soda (the stuff that brings the bubbles!)
04 A pinch of salt—about a quarter teaspoon
05 Half a cup of salted butter, softened to the point where it kind of melts slightly with a little pressure
06 One cup of plain white sugar
07 Two good-sized eggs, ideally not too cold (room temperature works great)
08 Half a cup of sour cream with full fat for that perfect texture
09 Juice from a quarter cup of freshly squeezed lemons (about two of them)
10 Zest from around two lemons, roughly a tablespoon's worth

→ For the Cream Cheese Swirl

11 4 ounces (or 115 grams) of cream cheese, softened so it’s velvety smooth
12 A quarter cup of sugar—regular white granulated stuff
13 One egg yolk, separated from the white
14 A tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

Step 01

Turn your oven on and set it to 350°F (or 175°C). While it’s warming up, grab a loaf pan—9 by 5 inches is the sweet spot—then coat it with butter and a dusting of flour. This’ll make it super easy to slide your creation out later!

Step 02

Take a medium-sized bowl and whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Once it looks nicely mixed up, you’re good to go!

Step 03

Here’s where things get exciting! In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until it looks pale and fluffy—three minutes should do it. Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one. Then, gently stir in the sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and zest until it all looks like it belongs together.

Step 04

Gently introduce the dry ingredients to the wet mix, folding them together slowly. Don't overdo it, though—we’re aiming for a nice, light bread!

Step 05

In another bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and lemon juice. Work it until you've got a silky, lump-free mix. This is going to make those tasty swirls shine!

Step 06

Spoon half of the bread batter into the prepared pan. Drop dollops of half the cream cheese mix on top, then swirl them through the batter gently with a knife. Repeat this layering with the rest of the batter and cream cheese mix, and finish it off with some artistic swirls on top!

Step 07

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the middle to check—if it comes out clean, you’re done! Let the bread sit in its cozy pan for ten minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  1. For extra zing, drizzle a quick and simple lemon icing over the cooled bread!
  2. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened—it’s the secret to those creamy, dreamy swirls.

Tools You'll Need

  • A trusty 9×5-inch loaf pan
  • An electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, whatever you have at home
  • A medium bowl for dry ingredients
  • A big mixing bowl for the batter magic
  • A wire rack for that perfect cooling process
  • Something to zest your lemons—either a zester or a microplane

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This one’s got dairy (butter, cream cheese, sour cream).
  • Eggs are part of the mix here!
  • Contains gluten because of the all-purpose flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 270
  • Total Fat: 5 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 35 g
  • Protein: 13 g