Description
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread, perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack. It combines fresh blueberries with creamy swirls of cream cheese and a hint of lemon zest, creating a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors. Baked to a golden brown crust, this bread is both visually appealing and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Additional Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- Extra blueberries for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk melted butter, milk, and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest for enhanced flavor.
- Add Cream Cheese: Gently fold softened cream cheese into the wet mixture until swirled but not fully blended, creating beautiful pockets of creaminess.
- Incorporate Blueberries: Carefully fold fresh blueberries into the batter, taking care not to mash them to maintain whole berries throughout the bread.
- Pour Batter and Top: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and optionally sprinkle extra blueberries on top for a decorative and fruity finish.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes until the bread is golden brown. Insert a toothpick in the center to check doneness; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the bread set and makes slicing easier.
Notes
- Use fresh blueberries for best texture; frozen blueberries can be used but may alter batter consistency.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and fluffy.
- Check the bread 5-10 minutes before the minimum baking time to avoid overbaking.
- Softened cream cheese should be at room temperature for easier incorporation.
- Store the bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
