Description
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is a moist and delicious loaf perfect for breakfast or dessert. It combines a creamy batter made with softened butter and cream cheese, studded with fresh or frozen blueberries, and optionally brightened with lemon zest. Baked to golden perfection, this bread is wonderfully tender and bursting with fresh fruit flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan to prepare it for baking.
- Prepare the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside for later incorporation.
- Cream the Butter and Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, use a mixer to beat together the softened unsalted butter, softened cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well blended.
- Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated. Then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine and Add Blueberries: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing. Gently fold in the fresh or frozen blueberries and lemon zest, if using, being careful not to break the berries.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use frozen blueberries straight from the freezer without thawing to prevent them from bleeding into the batter.
- Be careful not to overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the bread tender.
- Lemon zest is optional but adds a nice brightness that complements the blueberries.
- This bread can be stored wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- For best results, allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
