bright, citrusy flavors and creamy, dreamy textures, this Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is about to become your new obsession. 🍋✨ It’s soft, moist, and bursting with fresh lemon goodness, perfectly swirled with a rich cream cheese layer that adds just the right touch of tangy indulgence. Whether you’re making it for brunch, dessert, or a cozy afternoon snack, this loaf is a total showstopper—trust me, you’re going to love it!
Why You’ll Love Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors – The zesty lemon and rich cream cheese create an irresistible sweet-tangy combo.
- Moist & Tender Texture – Thanks to sour cream (or Greek yogurt), this bread stays incredibly soft.
- Simple Yet Impressive – Swirling in the cream cheese filling makes it look fancy with very little effort!
- Great for Any Occasion – Serve it for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or even as a homemade gift.
Ingredients Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Here’s what you’ll need to make this luscious Lemon Cream Cheese Bread. You’ll find the precise measurements in the recipe card below!
For the Bread:
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides structure while keeping the bread soft.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Ensures a light, fluffy texture.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted Butter – Adds rich, buttery goodness.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the bread just the right amount.
- Eggs – Helps bind everything together.
- Sour Cream (or Greek Yogurt) – Keeps the bread moist and tender.
- Lemon Zest & Juice – The key to bright, citrusy flavor!
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- Cream Cheese – Softened to blend smoothly into the batter.
- Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the filling without overpowering it.
- Egg Yolk – Helps create a silky-smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract – Adds warmth and enhances the cream cheese flavor.
Optional Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar – For a touch of extra sweetness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice – Thins out the glaze and adds even more zing.
👉 Full ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!
How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Bread Batter
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking until well blended.
- In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then, incorporate the sour cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stirring until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined—don’t overmix!
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Swirl
- In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 4: Assemble the Bread
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring an even distribution.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the batter, then use a knife or skewer to swirl it gently.
- Top with the remaining bread batter, smoothing it out to cover the cream cheese layer.
Step 5: Bake the Bread
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (some cream cheese swirl may stick, and that’s okay!).
- After baking, allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Add the Glaze (Optional)
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bread for an extra burst of lemony sweetness!
Pro Tips for Making Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
- Use Fresh Lemons – Fresh lemon juice and zest make a huge difference in flavor!
- Don’t Overmix – Overmixing the batter can make the bread dense—stir just until combined.
- Check for Doneness – If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover the bread with foil for the last 10–15 minutes of baking.
- For a Thicker Cream Cheese Swirl – Double the cream cheese filling for an extra decadent layer!
- Make Mini Loaves – Divide the batter into smaller loaf pans for easy gifting.
How to Serve Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is incredibly versatile! Try serving it:
- For Brunch – Pair with fresh fruit, quiche, or frittata.
- As a Dessert – Enjoy with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
🍫 If you’re in the mood for something extra indulgent, why not pair this Lemon Cream Cheese Bread with a warm, gooey Chocolate Lava Cake? It’s the ultimate dessert duo! 👉👉Chocolate Lava Cakes…
- With Coffee or Tea – The perfect afternoon pick-me-up!
🍞 Turn leftover slices of this Lemon Cream Cheese Bread into an indulgent French toast! If you’re looking for the perfect way to make classic French toast, check out this step-by-step guide! 👉👉French Toast Recipe Guide…
- As a Gift – Wrap in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a sweet homemade present.
Bonus Variations: Get Creative with Your Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Want to switch things up? Here are some fun and delicious twists to try:
🍇 Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread
- Fold 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter before baking.
- The juicy berries add a burst of sweetness that pairs perfectly with lemon!
🍊 Orange Cream Cheese Bread
- Swap the lemon juice and zest for fresh orange juice and zest.
- This creates a slightly sweeter, more fragrant citrus flavor—perfect for winter!
🌰 Lemon Almond Crunch Bread
- Add ½ cup of chopped almonds to the batter for extra crunch.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for a beautiful golden crust.
🥕 Lemon Carrot Cream Cheese Loaf
- Fold in ½ cup of grated carrots for extra moisture and natural sweetness.
🍫 Craving something even sweeter for breakfast? Try these Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes—they’re fluffy, rich, and perfect with a drizzle of honey or syrup!👉👉The Best Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes Ever…
- A hint of cinnamon or nutmeg makes this even cozier!
🍯 Honey Lemon Bread
- Replace ½ cup of sugar with ¼ cup of honey for a naturally sweet, floral taste.
- Pairs beautifully with a drizzle of honey glaze instead of powdered sugar icing!
🍌 Love tropical flavors? Try a Hawaiian twist with coconut, pineapple, and bananas in this incredible Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe! Perfect for those who enjoy a fruity, island-inspired loaf. 👉👉Hawaiian Banana Bread Recipe…
Make Ahead and Storage Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Storing Leftovers
- Once the bread has cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain freshness.
- If refrigerated, it will last up to 5 days—just bring it to room temp before serving!
Freezing Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
- Wrap the whole loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
🍞 If you’re a fan of homemade quick breads, you’ll love this Ultimate Banana Bread Recipe—super moist, packed with flavor, and easy to make! 👉👉Ultimate Banana Bread Recipe…
Reheating Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
- Warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven taste!
FAQs Lemon Cream Cheese Bread
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes! Greek yogurt works perfectly as a substitute for sour cream, keeping the bread moist and tender.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and your loaf will still be just as delicious.
How do I make the lemon flavor stronger?
For extra lemony goodness, add an extra teaspoon of zest or a little lemon extract to the batter.
🍦 Trying to balance indulgence with healthy choices? If you love creamy desserts but want a better-for-you alternative, check out this breakdown on whether protein ice creams are really healthy! 👉👉Are Protein Ice Creams Healthy?…
Can I add mix-ins like berries or nuts?
Yes! Blueberries, raspberries, or chopped nuts make great additions—just fold them in before baking.
🍌 What if you’re making banana bread and realize you’re short on bananas? No worries! Here’s a helpful guide with substitutes to keep your recipe on track! 👉👉What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Enough Bananas for Banana Bread?…
This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy, making it a must-bake for any occasion! Whether you enjoy it as a brunch centerpiece, afternoon snack, or a thoughtful homemade gift, one thing’s for sure—it won’t last long! 🍋💛
Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe – Moist, Tangy & Sweet
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure while keeping the bread soft.
- Baking powder & baking soda – Helps the bread rise perfectly.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter – Adds rich buttery goodness.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens the bread just the right amount.
- Eggs – Helps bind everything together.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt – Keeps the bread moist and tender.
- Lemon zest & juice – The key to bright citrusy flavor!
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- Cream cheese – Softened for a smooth creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the tang.
- Egg yolk – Creates a silky-smooth filling.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and enhances flavor.
Optional Glaze:
- Powdered sugar – For a light sweet drizzle.
- Fresh lemon juice – Thins out the glaze and adds an extra citrusy zing.
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Make the Bread Batter:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix gently—don’t overmix!
3️⃣ Make the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4️⃣ Assemble the Bread:
- Pour half of the bread batter into the loaf pan.
- Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the batter and swirl it with a knife.
- Top with the remaining batter and smooth it out.
5️⃣ Bake the Bread:
- Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
6️⃣ Add the Glaze (Optional):
- Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle over the cooled bread for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Use Fresh Lemons – Fresh zest and juice make a huge difference in flavor.
- Don’t Overmix – Stir gently to keep the bread soft and fluffy.
- Check for Doneness – If the top browns too quickly, cover with foil in the last 10 minutes.
- For Extra Lemon Flavor – Add an additional teaspoon of zest or a little lemon extract.
- Make Mini Loaves – Perfect for gifting!