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Lemon Cream Cheese Swirl Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 772 reviews

This delightful Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a moist, flavorful loaf that combines the tangy brightness of lemon with a rich, creamy cheesecake swirl. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, it features a tender crumb enhanced by the luscious cream cheese marbled within. Baking at a moderate temperature ensures an evenly cooked bread with a beautiful golden crust and a soft interior that holds the creamy filling perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter Ingredients

  • 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 all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • ⅓ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bread after baking.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and canola oil. Beat these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and homogenous with no lumps.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the dry ingredients are evenly mixed and aerated for a light texture.
  4. Create the Batter: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently until fully combined and smooth. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
  5. Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until completely smooth with no lumps.
  6. Layer Batter and Cream Cheese: Pour half of the batter into the greased loaf pan. Spoon about half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter, then use a knife to gently swirl the cream cheese through the batter, creating a marbled effect.
  7. Top with Remaining Batter and Swirl: Add the rest of the lemon batter over the cream cheese layer, then spoon on the remaining cream cheese mixture. Carefully use a knife to swirl the cream cheese in the top layer to continue the marbled pattern.
  8. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes. To prevent the top from browning too much, cover the bread loosely with foil during the last 20-30 minutes of baking.
  9. Cool and Serve: Remove the baked bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan. Cooling fully allows the cream cheese swirl to set properly. Once cooled, slice and serve.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing and texture.
  • You can substitute canola oil with vegetable oil or melted butter if preferred.
  • For extra lemon flavor, add a teaspoon of lemon extract if available.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is well softened for a smooth swirl mixture.
  • Covering the bread with foil during the last part of baking prevents over-browning while letting the inside finish cooking.
  • Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to avoid a crumbly texture.

Keywords: Lemon bread, cream cheese swirl, lemon dessert bread, homemade lemon loaf, creamy lemon bread

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/lemon-cream-cheese-swirl-bread-recipe/