Description
Zesty lemon cream cheese bread brings sunshine to your kitchen with its tangy, moist crumb and rich cream cheese swirl. Delightful slices promise pure comfort and irresistible flavor that will make breakfast or afternoon tea an absolute pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 8 ounces (226 grams) sour cream
- 1 (8 ounces/226 grams) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup canola oil
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Flavoring Ingredients:
- Zest from 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and coating a loaf pan with grease to prevent sticking.
- Create a smooth, unified mixture by whisking together sugar, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and canola oil in a large mixing bowl until fully incorporated.
- Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined to maintain a light, tender texture.
- Whip the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a small bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Carefully distribute half the batter into the prepared loaf pan, then dollop and swirl half the cream cheese mixture throughout. Repeat with remaining batter and cream cheese, creating a marbled pattern using a knife.
- Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for 65-70 minutes. After approximately 40-45 minutes, cover with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick, which should emerge clean when the bread is fully baked.
- Allow the bread to cool completely within the pan, enabling the cream cheese swirl to set and stabilize before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Roll lemons on the counter before zesting to release more oils and intensify the citrusy flavor.
- Use a wooden skewer or thin knife to create elegant marbled patterns without overmixing the cream cheese layer.
- Replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter texture while maintaining rich tanginess.
- Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the bread celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 308 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg