Description
This delightful Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread combines the fruity burst of fresh blueberries with rich, creamy swirls of cream cheese in a moist, tender loaf. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, this bread offers a balanced blend of sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of lemon zest and vanilla. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, it makes a wholesome treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Other Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 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 a separate bowl, mix melted butter, milk, and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest to infuse the batter with flavor.
- Incorporate cream cheese: Gently fold the softened cream cheese into the wet mixture, creating lovely swirls throughout for a creamy texture.
- Add blueberries: Carefully fold in the fresh blueberries to prevent them from breaking and releasing too much juice.
- Transfer batter to pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. For an attractive finish, sprinkle a few extra blueberries evenly on top of the batter.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes until the top turns golden brown. Perform the toothpick test by inserting it into the center; if it comes out clean, the bread is done.
- Cool and serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier folding and to achieve beautiful swirls.
- Use fresh blueberries to avoid excess moisture that can occur with frozen berries.
- Do not overmix the batter once the blueberries are added to prevent them from bursting.
- To make slicing easier, chill the bread slightly after cooling.
- This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.