Recipe

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Updated on 2 min read

Servings: 8 slices
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

Lemon Bread

  • 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Swirl

  • 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Glaze

  • Powdered sugar + fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat & prep
    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a standard loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. Mix dry ingredients
    In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Make the lemon batter
    In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
    Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
    Stir in milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla.
    Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
  4. Prepare the cream cheese swirl
    In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
    Add egg and vanilla and mix until creamy.
  5. Assemble
    Pour half of the lemon batter into the loaf pan.
    Spoon the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter.
    Top with the remaining lemon batter.
    Gently swirl with a knife if desired.
  6. Bake
    Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a little cream cheese is okay).
  7. Cool & finish
    Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Drizzle with lemon glaze if using.

Additional Notes

  • Extra Lemon Flavor: The glaze really makes the lemon pop—highly recommended.
  • Storage: Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for 4–5 days.
  • Make Ahead: This bread tastes even better the next day.

Variations

  • Mini Loaves or Muffins: Reduce bake time and check early.
  • Blueberry Lemon: Fold fresh or frozen blueberries into the lemon batter.
  • Lighter Option: Use reduced-fat cream cheese.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice)

  • Calories: ~330 kcal
  • Protein: ~6g
  • Carbohydrates: ~42g
  • Fat: ~15g

You may also like...