Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful and moist quick bread that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with the rich creaminess of cream cheese. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of the day. Here’s a simple recipe to make this delicious bread:
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
For the Lemon Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk and lemon juice, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake the Bread:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Lemon Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more lemon juice if needed.
- Once the bread is completely cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top.
- Serve:
- Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving the bread.
Tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for the best mixing results.
- Lemon Flavor: For an extra burst of lemon flavor, you can add a teaspoon of lemon extract to the batter.
- Storage: Store the lemon cream cheese bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. It also freezes well.
Enjoy your Lemon Cream Cheese Bread with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful treat!