Lemon cheese bread is a delightful quick bread that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with the richness of cream cheese. It’s typically made by blending cream cheese into the batter, which adds moisture and a slight tang. The bread is often flavored with fresh lemon juice and zest, giving it a bright and refreshing taste.
Key Ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Fresh lemon juice and zest
- Sugar
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Eggs
Texture and Flavor:
The result is a moist, dense bread with a lovely lemony flavor that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. It’s often served plain or with a light glaze for added sweetness.
Here’s a simple recipe for lemon cheese bread:
Ingredients:
- 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
- Cream the Cheese and Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Eggs: Gradually add the sugar, mixing until well combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. You can serve it plain or drizzle a simple lemon glaze on top if you like.
Enjoy your lemon cheese bread! It’s a delicious treat!