Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread

Blueberry cream cheese bread is a soft, moist quick bread swirled with creamy, tangy cream cheese and bursting with juicy blueberries. I love how each slice gives me the perfect mix of fruity sweetness and rich cheesecake-like goodness, all wrapped up in a tender loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, snacking, or dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this bread because it’s the best of two worlds—part fruit-filled muffin, part cheesecake. The cream cheese swirl adds a luscious texture that pairs beautifully with the berries, and the loaf bakes up golden and soft with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s easy to make, easy to slice, and even easier to enjoy with coffee or tea.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the bread:

• All-purpose flour

• Baking powder

• Salt

• Granulated sugar

• Eggs

• Vegetable oil or melted butter

• Milk or buttermilk

• Vanilla extract

• Fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, I don’t thaw them)

For the cream cheese filling:

• Cream cheese (softened)

• Granulated sugar

• Egg yolk

• Vanilla extract

Directions

1. I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl, I beat the eggs, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla until well combined.

4. I stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until mixed. Then I gently fold in the blueberries, tossing them in a little flour first to prevent sinking.

5. For the cream cheese filling, I beat the softened cream cheese with sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.

6. I pour half the batter into the loaf pan, spoon the cream cheese mixture over the batter, and gently swirl it with a knife.

7. I top it with the remaining batter and smooth the top.

8. I bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

9. I let the bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 1 loaf, yielding about 8 to 10 slices. It takes 15 minutes to prepare and around 1 hour to bake, with additional cooling time before slicing.

Variations

Sometimes I add lemon zest to the batter or cream cheese for a bright citrus note. I’ve also used raspberries or blackberries in place of blueberries, or mixed in a handful of white chocolate chips for extra richness. For a cinnamon-sugar twist, I sprinkle a little on top before baking.

Storage/Reheating

I store the bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. It tastes great cold, but I often reheat slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to bring back that just-baked softness. This bread also freezes well—I wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months, then thaw at room temperature.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries?

Yes, I use them straight from the freezer and toss them in a bit of flour to help prevent them from bleeding into the batter.

Why did my cream cheese layer sink?

It may have been too heavy or not swirled in enough. I try to gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter instead of leaving it in a solid layer.

Can I skip the cream cheese filling?

Yes, the bread is still delicious without it. If I do, I sometimes increase the blueberries or add a glaze on top.

What’s the best way to keep the bread moist?

I make sure not to overbake it and store it tightly wrapped. The cream cheese helps lock in moisture too.

Can I make this as muffins?

Yes, I divide the batter and filling among lined muffin tins and bake at 350°F for about 20–25 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.

Conclusion

Blueberry cream cheese bread is soft, rich, and loaded with everything I love—juicy fruit, creamy filling, and a tender crumb. It’s easy to bake, easy to store, and always hits the spot. Whether I enjoy it warm from the oven or chilled the next day, this loaf is a delicious way to start or end the day.

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