Lemon Cream Cheese Bread

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, canola oil, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
4. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth.
5. Layer the Batter: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over it and use a knife to gently swirl it. Add the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cream cheese mixture, swirling again to create a marbled effect.
6. Bake: Cover the pan loosely with foil for the last 20-30 minutes of baking to prevent browning. Bake for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This helps the cream cheese swirl set properly.

Enjoy your Lemon Cream Cheese Bread as a delightful snack or dessert!

Pro Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature. This helps create a smoother batter and a better cream cheese swirl.
2. Zest Carefully: When zesting the lemon, avoid the bitter white pith. Use a microplane for finely grated zest that will distribute evenly throughout the batter.
3. Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a denser loaf.
4. Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice will provide a brighter flavor compared to bottled lemon juice, enhancing the overall taste of the bread.