Description

This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread bursting with fresh blueberries and creamy swirls of cream cheese. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this easy-to-make loaf combines tangy lemon zest and vanilla for a delightful balance of flavors. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a tender crumb and a beautiful presentation with blueberries scattered throughout and on top.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Additional Ingredients

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup fresh blueberries (plus extra for topping, optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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 thoroughly combined.
Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, milk, and eggs until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon zest for flavor.
Fold in cream cheese. Gently fold the softened cream cheese into the wet mixture, creating beautiful creamy swirls throughout the batter without fully blending it in.
Add blueberries. Carefully mix in the fresh blueberries, being cautious not to mash them to preserve their shape and burst of flavor.
Fill the loaf pan. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, and if desired, sprinkle extra blueberries on top for an attractive finish.
Bake the bread. Bake the loaf for 55 to 60 minutes until it turns golden brown. Perform the toothpick test by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool before serving. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring clean slices and perfect texture.

Notes

Use fresh blueberries for best texture and taste; frozen blueberries can be used but may require additional flour to adjust moisture.
Softening the cream cheese at room temperature makes folding it into the batter easier and helps create nice swirls.
For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or substituting part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier taste.
Store leftover bread wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Ensure the eggs and milk are at room temperature to help the batter mix smoothly and bake evenly.