This Blueberry Lemon Bread is sweet, tangy, loaded with juicy blueberries and a decadent cream cheese swirl! It’s the perfect quick bread recipe for Spring!
Lemon and blueberries is one of my favorite combinations, but I crave it even more once the sun starts bringing some heat and Spring is on the way!
The freshness of lemon is one flavor we love in all forms!
Some of our other favorites? Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, No Bake Lemon Cheesecake, and this Baked Lemon Blueberry Doughnuts.
The Blueberry Lemon Bread is made extra special with a decadent cream cheese swirl and a tangy lemon glaze. You can omit either or both, if you want to take this Lemon Bread from a special treat to a more responsible every day snack or breakfast 😉
I’ve included more tips and tricks for customizing this easy Lemon Bread recipe below.
I love quick breads because they’re less work than muffins (no messing with liners or scooping), and they can go from breakfast to school lunches to dessert pretty easily, with an extra serving of fruit or a drizzle of glaze.
I ended up adapting the recipe from Taste of Home’s Complete Guide to Baking cookbook (which I actually can’t find on Amazon anymore), which I love when I’m looking for help with a basic baking recipe! You could skip the cream cheese layer completely if you want to, but I think that’s what really makes this bread extra special.
Looking for a basic recipe? Try this Glazed Lemon Bread next.
Variations on this Cream Cheese Filled Blueberry Lemon Bread:
- Feel free to leave out the cream cheese or the glaze if you want to cut back on the sugar in this recipe.
- I have made the cream cheese layer with an without the egg, so if you don’t have an extra, don’t fret! It will be fine without.
- If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can use lemon extract in place of the lemon zest and juice. Use about 2 tablespoons of lemon extract, depending on how much you like lemon 😉
- Fresh or frozen blueberries both work well in this recipe. If you are using frozen blueberries, be sure to add in frozen and toss with a bit of flour for best results. They do tend to turn the batter purple, but it won’t affect the flavor! If using frozen blueberries, you may need to bake this loaf longer, up to 1 hour 20 minutes.
- Once the lemon bread reaches your desired exterior color, cover tightly with foil to prevent further browning. I have found that lemon breads tend to brown more than some others, so I always recommend covering it once it is golden brown.
What kind of pan is best for this Blueberry Lemon Bread?
A while back, I switched out my old non-stick loaf pans for glass pans, which I love.
However, my glass pans are only 1.5L, while my other pans were 2L, and I’m noticing how much of a difference that makes! Please note that this recipe is tested in an 8×4″ glass loaf pan, and if you have a 9×5″ or a dark non stick then you might find it bakes much more quickly and is a little lower. Just check the bread 10-20 minutes before the end of the baking time and check every 5 minutes with a toothpick.
*This post, recipe, images and video has been updated since its original post date in June 2017.
Cream Cheese Filled Blueberry Lemon Bread
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1 cup sugar (200g)
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup plain 0% Greek yogurt (150 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup lemon juice (1 lemon)
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (200-210 grams) fluffed and levelled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- zest of 2 lemons (or 3, if you like things tangy!)
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (*if using frozen blueberries, toss with 1 tablespoon flour before adding to batter)
Cream Cheese Layer
- 4 oz cream cheese ½ package
- 1/4 cup sugar 50g
- 1 egg white
Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered icing sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×4″ (or 9×5″ — see note above) loaf pan (I recommend glass or silicone as it will darken more quickly in a non stick pan).
- In a large bowl whisk together oil and sugar. Add eggs, yogurt, vanilla and juice and whisk until smooth.
- Add flour, baking powder, salt and lemon zest and stir just until combined. Fold in blueberries.
- Make the cream cheese layer: in a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg white with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Pour ⅔ of your bread batter into prepared loaf pan. Top with all of cream cheese mixture and spread evenly. Top with remaining ⅓ bread batter and smooth the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes, covering loosely with foil after 30 minutes or when top is golden, until a toothpick in the bread comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Note that the cream cheese will set as it cools.
- Cool to room temperature before slicing and serving. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Glaze
- Gradually stir lemon juice into powdered icing sugar until desired consistency is reached — you may not need all of the lemon juice!
- Drizzle over loaf before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Krystn S says
Thanks for sharing your recipe. Turned out beautiful.
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad!
Sarah Sanchez says
This recipe is amazing. I was even able to it all lactose free with substitutes and it came out delicious! Thank you for sharing your recipes…they are always so delicious
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Sarah! I’m so glad you liked it!
Reenie says
Didn’t have all the cream cheese but made it anyway. So good!!! Thanks for posting
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear, Reenie!
Alexis says
Love it! It’s easy and sooo delicious
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Alexis!
Veronica Witherspoon says
I’ve made it several times and it turned out beautifully each time! I’ve also shared the recipe.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Veronica! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Wannetta says
Could you use almond or oat flour?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Wannetta! I have only tested the recipe as written so it would be hard for me to say for sure. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
Angie says
Hi, I actually found the answer to my question after reading more carefully. Leftovers for need to be stored in the refrigerator!
The Recipe Rebel says
Glad you found it Angie! So glad you enjoyed it!
Angie says
Delicious! I tried your recipe and it turned out great. Does tge uneaten portion this have to be stored in the refrigerator since it has cream cheese in it?
Rachel says
I doubled the recipe and made this in a bundt pan- it took slightly longer to bake, but it turned out beautifully and was so delicious. Thanks for a great recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Rachel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and the feedback!
Kristen says
Amazing! My favorite quick bread to make. My kids are partial to muffins, so I’m tempted to try that, but worried it wouldn’t turn out right.
Patricia says
Just took it out of the oven. My house smells amazing. Excited for this recipe flavors. I know it will be a favorite before even tasting. The ingredients sell the product. Thank you very much.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Patricia! I’m happy to hear that!
Gabby says
I love this recipe! Already made it a few times, but I tried something different last night. I guess you could call it the holiday version. I used cranberries instead of blueberries and fresh orange juice and zest instead of lemon. It turned out delicious! I took it to work. My colleagues loved it, too.
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea! Thanks for sharing Gabby!
Ann T. says
I’m lactose-sensitive, and find the cream cheese layer unappetizing. Should the baking instructions be adjusted if I choose to eliminate the cream-cheese filling?
Ashley Fehr says
You may find it doesn’t require as much bake time — I would just keep an eye on it!