Soft Lemon Cream Cheese Bread (Print Version)

# 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:

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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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:

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

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