Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful breakfast or a sweet snack, this Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is the perfect treat. It combines the tartness of juicy blueberries with the richness of cream cheese, all packed into a moist and flavorful loaf. This bread is easy to make, visually stunning with bursts of blueberries, and irresistibly delicious.
Whether you enjoy it with your morning coffee or as a dessert, this blueberry cream cheese bread will quickly become a favorite in your household. The cream cheese swirl adds an indulgent touch, making every bite extra creamy and rich.
Let’s dive into how to make this amazing bread!
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 5: Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Milk
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don’t overmix to avoid a dense bread.
Step 6: Fold in Blueberries
Gently fold the blueberries into the batter. If using frozen blueberries, toss them in a little flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the bread.
Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Step 8: Assemble the Bread
Pour half of the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, spreading it out evenly.
Step 9: Bake the Bread
Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking.
Step 10: 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. Once cooled, slice and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread
1. Use Fresh or Frozen Blueberries
Both fresh and frozen blueberries work well in this recipe. If using frozen blueberries, make sure to thaw and drain them before adding them to the batter to prevent extra moisture.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients
Ensure your butter, eggs, and cream cheese are at room temperature. This helps everything blend together more smoothly, resulting in a better texture for your bread.
3. Avoid Overmixing
When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated. Overmixing can cause the bread to become dense instead of light and fluffy.
4. Add a Streusel Topping
For added texture and sweetness, you can sprinkle a streusel topping made of butter, sugar, and flour over the top of the batter before baking. This creates a sweet and crunchy layer that complements the moist bread perfectly.
5. Storage and Freezing
Store the bread at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. For longer storage, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
1. Serve Warm or Cold
This blueberry cream cheese bread is delicious whether served warm or cold. Warm slices with a bit of melted butter are especially comforting, but chilled slices have a more defined cream cheese swirl.
2. Pair with Coffee or Tea
Enjoy a slice of this bread with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even iced coffee for a delightful treat any time of the day.
3. Add a Glaze
For extra sweetness, drizzle a lemon glaze or vanilla glaze over the top of the cooled bread. To make a glaze, simply mix powdered sugar, a few tablespoons of milk, and a dash of vanilla or lemon juice.
Conclusion
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The juicy blueberries, paired with the creamy, tangy cream cheese filling, make every bite a special treat. Whether you serve it for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert, it’s sure to be a hit with everyone. Plus, the recipe is simple enough to whip up any time you’re craving something sweet and homemade.
FAQs
1. Can I use other fruits instead of blueberries?
Yes, you can substitute blueberries with other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or chopped strawberries.
2. How can I make this bread gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, simply use gluten-free all-purpose flour in place of regular flour. Make sure the other ingredients are also certified gluten-free.
3. Can I freeze the bread?
Yes, this bread freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing. It will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw it at room temperature before serving.
4. Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Absolutely! You can fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for an added crunch.
5. How do I prevent the cream cheese layer from sinking?
To avoid the cream cheese layer sinking, make sure the first layer of batter is spread evenly and is not too thin. You can also slightly swirl the cream cheese filling into the batter for better distribution.
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a delightful breakfast or a sweet snack, this Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is the perfect treat. It combines the tartness of juicy blueberries with the richness of cream cheese, all packed into a moist and flavorful loaf. This bread is easy to make, visually stunning with bursts of blueberries, and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
- For the Bread:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (or buttermilk)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (tossed in 1 tablespoon flour to prevent sinking)
- For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easier removal. - Make the Bread Batter:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Fold in the floured blueberries gently. - Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the Bread:
Pour half of the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Then, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter. Top with the remaining batter, carefully spreading it to cover the cream cheese layer. - Bake:
Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too much, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking. - Cool:
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.