If you’ve ever craved a bread that’s perfectly moist, rich, and bursting with blueberries, this Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread will become your new favorite. Unlike ordinary blueberry bread, this recipe includes cream cheese in the batter, creating a soft, tender texture and a slightly tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet, juicy blueberries.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an afternoon snack, this bread is easy to make yet tastes bakery-quality. Let’s dive into everything you need to know—from ingredients and baking science to variations and expert tips.
đź“Ś Recipe Snapshot
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 55–65 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (8–10 slices)
- Skill Level: Easy
- Calories: ~260 per slice (depending on portion size)
🥣 Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and why they matter:
- All-purpose flour – Provides structure; sift for a lighter crumb.
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens and helps retain moisture.
- Cream cheese (softened, full-fat) – Adds richness and keeps the bread ultra-moist.
- Unsalted butter – Balances flavor and tenderness.
- Eggs – Bind ingredients and add stability.
- Baking powder + baking soda – Essential leavening agents for lift.
- Salt – Enhances overall flavor.
- Milk or buttermilk – Buttermilk adds extra tenderness and tang.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries – Frozen works great; don’t thaw before adding.
- Vanilla extract + optional lemon zest – Adds depth and brightness.
👉 Pro Tip: Toss blueberries in 1 tablespoon of flour before folding them into the batter. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom.
👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment for easy removal.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
- Add sugar and continue beating until creamy.
- Mix in eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Bring It Together
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet, alternating with milk/buttermilk.
- Fold in floured blueberries gently to avoid crushing.
5. Bake
- Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean (moist crumbs are fine).
- Let cool 15 minutes before slicing.
đź’ˇ Expert Baking Tips
- Moisture Control: Don’t overmix; it makes the bread dense.
- Golden Top: If browning too quickly, tent with foil halfway through.
- Uniform Texture: Room-temperature ingredients blend more evenly.
- Test for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out mostly clean.
🧊 Storage & Freezing Guide
- Room Temperature: Wrap in plastic; keeps 2–3 days.
- Refrigerator: Store up to 1 week for maximum freshness.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic + foil; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge, then warm slices in the oven or toaster.
🌟 Variations & Substitutions
- Lemon-Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread: Add lemon zest and a drizzle of lemon glaze.
- Streusel Topping: Mix butter, flour, and sugar for a crunchy topping.
- Mini Loaves or Muffins: Bake in muffin tins (20–25 minutes) or mini pans (30–35 minutes).
- Healthier Swaps: Use Greek yogurt instead of some cream cheese, whole wheat flour for part of the flour, or natural sweeteners like honey.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Warm slice with coffee or tea in the morning.
- As dessert, topped with whipped cream or vanilla glaze.
- Packed in lunchboxes for a sweet treat.
- Gift idea: bake in mini pans, wrap, and share during holidays.
đź“Š Nutritional Information (Per Slice, based on 10 servings)
- Calories: 260
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
(Values vary depending on ingredient brands and portion size.)
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes! Use them straight from the freezer—don’t thaw, or they’ll bleed color.
2. Why did my bread sink in the middle?
It may have been underbaked or overmixed. Always test doneness with a toothpick.
3. Can I make muffins with this batter?
Absolutely. Reduce baking time to ~20–25 minutes.
4. Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes, reduce by ÂĽ cup for a less-sweet version without affecting texture too much.
5. How can I make it gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for best results.
âś… Final Thoughts
Blueberry Cream Cheese Bread is the perfect combination of moist texture, tangy richness, and bursts of fruity flavor. It’s simple enough for everyday baking yet impressive enough to serve to guests. Once you try it, you’ll never look at ordinary blueberry bread the same way again.
💬 Have you baked this recipe? Share your results in the comments—I’d love to see your creations!
