Zesty Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe: Tangy Homemade Joy

Whipping up a delightful lemon cream cheese bread can turn an ordinary afternoon into a zesty celebration of flavors.

Soft, tangy notes dance through each tender slice, promising a truly memorable treat.

cream cheese adds luxurious richness that perfectly complements bright citrus undertones.

Home bakers will adore how simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinarily delicious.

Mixing bowls and fresh lemons become your best companions in crafting this irresistible quick bread.

Warm kitchen aromas will beckon everyone to the counter, eager to sample your masterpiece.

You won’t be able to resist cutting a thick slice and savoring every delectable crumb.

Storing Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Properly

• Wrap the lemon cream cheese bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining its fresh taste and soft texture.
• Slice the bread, wrap each piece individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor retention when thawed.
• Store the bread at room temperature in a sealed container or wrapped in plastic wrap for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bread slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or toast briefly in a preheated oven at 150C (300F) for 5-7 minutes to restore its original soft and moist consistency.

Perfect Pairings for Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

• Elevate Citrus Refreshment: Pair this zesty lemon cream cheese bread with crisp, bright beverages that complement its tangy profile.
• Brew Lemon Tea Harmony: Steep a light, fragrant green or chamomile tea to balance the bread's richness and enhance its citrusy notes.
• Match Sparkling Elegance: Serve with chilled prosecco or a light sparkling white wine to create a delightful afternoon treat that tingles the palate.
• Craft Creamy Counterpoint: Select a smooth vanilla bean ice cream or lemon sorbet as a cool, creamy accompaniment that echoes the bread's subtle sweetness.

Recipe Twists on Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

• Gluten-Free Lemon Delight: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the bread's moist texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap cream cheese with coconut cream and use dairy-free butter substitute for those with lactose intolerance or dairy restrictions.
• Low-Sugar Zesty Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of traditional sugar, reducing overall calorie content while preserving the bright lemon flavor.
• Vegan Citrus Bread: Substitute eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use plant-based cream cheese alternative, and select vegan butter to create a completely plant-based recipe that keeps the original's tangy essence.

FAQs

• Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor and zest. Bottled juice works, but it might taste slightly less vibrant and lacks the essential oils from fresh lemon zest.

• How do I know if my cream cheese is at the right temperature?

Cream cheese should be softened at room temperature, which means it’s easily spreadable but not melted. Leave it out for about 30-45 minutes before baking.

• What if my batter looks curdled when mixing eggs?

Don’t worry if the batter looks slightly separated. This is normal and will come together when you add dry ingredients. Just mix gently and avoid overmixing.

• How can I prevent my bread from becoming dry?

Don’t overbake and check the bread early. Use a toothpick to test doneness – it should come out with a few moist crumbs. Remove from oven immediately when fully baked.

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread at a Glance

• Indulge in a tangy lemon explosion that dances on your taste buds with every delightful bite of this cream cheese bread.
• Enjoy a versatile recipe that works wonderfully as a breakfast, afternoon snack, or sweet dessert that everyone from kids to grandparents will love.
• Prepare this moist, lemony bread with minimal effort and maximum flavor, guaranteed to wow friends and family at gatherings or potlucks.

What You Need for Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

• Butter: A rich, creamy base that adds moisture and flavor to the bread.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender texture.
• Cream Cheese: Contributes to a rich, tangy, and moist bread.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
• Flour: The primary dry ingredient that forms the bread's foundation.
• Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy flavor and helps tenderize the bread.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies the lemon flavor with its concentrated citrus oils.

• Baking Powder: Helps the bread rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the bread.

• Powdered Sugar, Lemon Juice: Create a sweet and tangy glaze that adds extra moisture and flavor to the cooled bread.

Baking Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 175C (350F).

Prep your loaf pan by generously greasing and flouring it or lining with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Batter

• Softened butter
• Sugar
• Cream cheese

Beat until the mixture becomes light and airy.

Add eggs one by one, blending thoroughly after each addition.

Stir in fresh lemon juice and zesty lemon zest.

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until everything comes together smoothly.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.

The bread is ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 4: Drizzle with Tangy Glaze

Whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until silky and smooth.

Once the bread has cooled completely, drizzle the glaze over the top for an extra burst of citrusy flavor.

Step 5: Cool and Slice

Let the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes.

Carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips for Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Perfection

• Gently scrape only the yellow part of the lemon peel to avoid the bitter white pith, maximizing pure citrus flavor without unwanted bitterness.
• Mix wet and dry ingredients just until combined to keep the bread tender and moist, preventing tough, dense texture from overmixing.
• Use room temperature butter, cream cheese, and eggs for smoother batter and more even baking, ensuring a consistent, luxurious texture.
• Let the bread cool completely before adding glaze to prevent it from melting and sliding off, creating a beautifully set, glossy topping.
• Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and soft crumb.

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Silky lemon cream cheese bread brings sunshine to your kitchen with its tangy, moist crumb. Delicate citrus notes and rich cream cheese create a perfect slice of comfort that brightens any morning or afternoon treat.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 175C (350F). Coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease and flour, or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Create a creamy base by blending softened butter, sugar, and cream cheese until the mixture becomes airy and light. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition.
3. Infuse citrus essence by stirring in fresh lemon juice and zest, creating a vibrant flavor profile.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate vessel to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
5. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender bread texture. Avoid overmixing to prevent a tough consistency.
6. Transfer batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula for an even bake.
7. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean and dry.
8. While bread bakes, whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice to create an optional tangy glaze.
9. Remove bread from oven and let rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize its structure.
10. Carefully transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before applying optional glaze.
11. Drizzle glaze over the cooled bread, creating a glistening, citrusy finish that enhances the bread’s flavor.

Notes

• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth, well-blended batter that creates a tender, even crumb.
• Avoid overmixing the batter after adding dry ingredients to prevent a tough, dense bread texture.
• Zest lemons carefully, using only the bright yellow outer layer to capture maximum citrus flavor without bitter white pith.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for better structure.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 245
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg