This Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is like sunshine on a plate! Each bite is impossibly moist, thanks to luscious cream cheese, and beams with bright, vibrant citrus flavor. Topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze, this loaf is perfect for spring gatherings or anytime you want to treat yourself to something cheerful and homemade. The soft crumb, zesty aroma, and irresistible tang make it a bakery-worthy delight you’ll want to bake on repeat. Whether for breakfast, snack, or dessert, Lemon Cream Cheese Bread easily steals the show.

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This loaf bursts with fresh, straightforward ingredients, each one making a real impact on the outcome. The blend of tangy lemon, rich cream cheese, and classic baking staples gives Lemon Cream Cheese Bread its dreamy texture and perfect balance of flavors.

All-purpose flour: Provides the essential structure and gentle crumb that’s just right for quick breads.
Baking powder: Gives your bread its lovely rise so it’s light, not dense.
Baking soda: Reacts with the acidic lemon juice for extra lift and tenderness in every slice.
Salt: Sharpens the lemon flavors and perfectly rounds out the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (softened): The base of that melt-in-your-mouth richness—never skip the room temperature step for easy mixing.
Cream cheese (softened): The secret to creamy, ultra-moist bread with a slight tang.
Granulated sugar: Adds classic sweetness while keeping everything delightfully tender.
Large eggs: Binds everything together and adds essential structure and richness.
Lemon zest: The aromatic citrus oil brings a bright, real lemon punch unlike anything from a bottle.
Fresh lemon juice: Delivers that fresh-tart zing and keeps the crumb extra soft.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and complexity to balance the citrus tang.
Whole milk: Provides moisture and ensures a tender, delicate crumb throughout.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): Perfect for making a smooth, crackly-sweet drizzle on top.
Lemon juice (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with irresistible brightness, tying the whole loaf together.

How to Make Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a little butter or nonstick spray, and line it with parchment paper for fuss-free removal. This step ensures your Lemon Cream Cheese Bread comes out beautifully every time, with no sticking or crumbling.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This quick mix aerates the dry ingredients and ensures even distribution, so you won’t end up with pockets of baking soda or clumps of flour.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until the mixture is totally smooth and fluffy—this usually takes about 1–2 minutes. This is what builds the base of your bread’s rich, tender crumb, so don’t rush this part!

Step 4: Add Sugar and Eggs

Beat the granulated sugar into your butter and cream cheese until the mixture is light and creamy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This gradual process helps your lemon cream cheese bread batter stay smooth and thick, preventing curdling and ensuring even baking.

Step 5: Mix in Lemon Zest, Juice, and Vanilla

Stir in the fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. This is where the bright, zippy flavors come alive! The zest infuses the batter with aromatic oils, while the juice adds a lovely tang that balances the sweetness perfectly.

Step 6: Alternate Dry Ingredients and Milk

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk (start and end with the dry ingredients). Gently mix just until everything is combined—overmixing can make your loaf tough, so use a light touch.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs attached. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with foil during the last 10 minutes.

Step 8: Cool and Glaze

Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Once the bread is cool, drizzle generously with the glaze for an extra hit of sparkle and flavor. Now you have a show-stopping Lemon Cream Cheese Bread ready to slice and share!

How to Serve Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Garnishes

Dress up your Lemon Cream Cheese Bread with a sprinkling of extra lemon zest, delicate curls of candied lemon peel, or even a few edible flowers for a special occasion. Each slice looks stunning when finished with an extra drizzle of glaze just before serving.

Side Dishes

Pair a slice with fresh berries or a fruit salad for a bright brunch spread. It’s also wonderful alongside a cup of coffee, herbal tea, or iced lemonade for an afternoon pick-me-up. The light citrus flavor means it works with both sweet and savory breakfast dishes, too.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, cut Lemon Cream Cheese Bread into fingers or cubes and serve it as part of a dessert platter. It also makes a beautiful base for shortcake-style desserts; just top slices with whipped cream and macerated strawberries for an easy but elegant treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any remaining Lemon Cream Cheese Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To keep it extra moist, wrap the loaf or slices in plastic wrap before placing in the container, and enjoy a little slice of sunshine anytime.

Freezing

To freeze, let the bread cool completely (glaze and all), then wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil, or slip it into a freezer bag. It’ll keep its fresh, zesty flavor for up to three months—just thaw overnight at room temperature when a craving strikes.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked taste, gently warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds or wrap in foil and pop in a low oven for 5–10 minutes. The glaze will soften, and the bread’s lemony fragrance will fill your kitchen all over again.

FAQs

Can I use low-fat cream cheese in Lemon Cream Cheese Bread?

You can swap in low-fat cream cheese if you like, but the bread will be a touch less rich and creamy. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best flavor and texture, but even reduced-fat versions work if you need to lighten things up.

What if I don’t have fresh lemons?

Fresh is best, but in a pinch, you can use store-bought lemon juice and skip the zest. The flavor may not be as bright, but the bread will still taste delicious. If possible, keep at least one lemon for zest—it makes a difference!

Can I add poppy seeds or berries?

Absolutely! A handful of poppy seeds or fresh blueberries stirs beautifully into the batter and adds new texture and flavor. Just toss any berries with a little flour first to prevent them from sinking.

Is this recipe suitable for mini loaf pans?

Yes, you can divide the batter among mini loaf pans for adorable individual Lemon Cream Cheese Bread gifts. Reduce the baking time to about 25–35 minutes and check for doneness with a toothpick.

Why did my loaf sink in the middle?

Sinking can happen if your bread is underbaked, or if the batter is overmixed. Be sure to test for doneness before removing from the oven, and remember to mix just until combined when adding the dry ingredients and milk.

Final Thoughts

Baking Lemon Cream Cheese Bread is pure kitchen joy, from the first whiff of fresh zest to the final, satisfying bite. Whether you share it or savor it all yourself, this loaf is bound to become a favorite. Give it a whirl—you’ll be amazed how quickly it disappears!

Lemon Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 10 slices 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the delightful flavors of lemon and cream cheese with this moist and tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Bread. This easy-to-make treat is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack with a cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
4 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon zest
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup whole milk

For the glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons lemon juice

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
Combine ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, alternating and mixing until just combined.
Bake: Pour batter into the loaf pan and bake for 50–60 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Make the glaze: Whisk powdered sugar and lemon juice, then drizzle over cooled bread.

Notes

Enhance lemon flavor with a few drops of lemon extract or additional zest.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American