Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread (Moist, Bakery-Style & Easy)

Introduction

Did you know that baked goods combining fruit and dairy rank among the top 10 most-saved breakfast recipes online due to their balance of sweetness and richness?
That’s exactly why Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread has become a bakery favorite and a home-baking essential. This recipe brings together juicy blueberries and a luscious cream cheese swirl inside a soft, tender loaf that feels indulgent yet comforting. Unlike dry quick breads, this version stays moist for days and delivers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and creamy flavors—ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat.

If you love café-style loaves but want a foolproof, homemade version, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients List

This Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread uses simple pantry ingredients with high flavor payoff.

For the Bread Batter

1½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
2 large eggs, room temperature
½ cup milk or buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)

For the Cream Cheese Swirl

8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 large egg
½ tsp vanilla extract

Optional Add-Ins

Lemon zest (for brightness)
White chocolate chips
Crumb topping (streusel)

Substitution Ideas:

Use Greek yogurt instead of milk for extra moisture
Swap half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour
Use coconut sugar for deeper caramel notes

Timing

This Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread is easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 55–65 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes

📊 Compared to yeast breads, this quick bread saves over 60% of preparation time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.

Pro Tip: Leave parchment overhang for easy removal.

Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.

✨ This swirl adds richness and prevents the bread from drying out.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla until fully combined.

Step 5: Combine Batter

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined.

Important Tip: Overmixing develops gluten and makes the bread dense.

Step 6: Fold in Blueberries

Toss blueberries with 1 teaspoon flour, then gently fold into the batter.

📊 This prevents berries from sinking to the bottom.

Step 7: Layer the Bread

Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter. Top with remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for 55–65 minutes, loosely tenting with foil after 40 minutes if browning too quickly.

Doneness Test: A toothpick inserted into the bread (not cream cheese) should come out mostly clean.

Step 9: Cool

Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information (Per Slice – Approximate)

Calories: ~310 kcal
Protein: 6 g
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Fat: 16 g
Sugar: 20 g
Fiber: 1.5 g

📊 Blueberries contribute antioxidants linked to heart and brain health.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Make this Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread work for your dietary goals:

Lower sugar: Reduce sugar by ¼ cup without affecting texture
Higher protein: Add 2 tbsp protein powder or use Greek yogurt
Lower fat: Use light cream cheese and applesauce for half the oil
Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour

These swaps maintain moisture and flavor while improving nutrition.

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread in multiple ways:

Warm with butter or honey
Toasted with extra cream cheese
Served with coffee or tea
As part of a brunch spread

🫐 Personalized Tip: Lightly toast slices to intensify blueberry flavor and texture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Cold cream cheese – leads to lumpy swirl
Overbaking – dries out the loaf
Skipping parchment paper – causes sticking
Too many blueberries – adds excess moisture

Avoiding these ensures a perfectly baked loaf every time.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Store at room temperature for 1 day (wrapped tightly)
Refrigerate for up to 5 days
Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months
Thaw overnight or toast directly from frozen

📦 Meal Prep Tip: Slice before freezing for easy grab-and-go servings.

Conclusion

This Blueberry and Cream Cheese Bread is soft, rich, and bursting with juicy berries and creamy swirls. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it’s a bakery-style loaf made simple at home. Try it today, leave a comment or review on our blog, and subscribe for more easy, crowd-pleasing baking recipes.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes—add them frozen and toss with flour before mixing.

Q2: Why is my bread dense?
Overmixing or too much flour are common causes.

Q3: Can I make this recipe into muffins?
Yes—bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes.

Q4: Do I need to refrigerate it?
Yes, after the first day due to the cream cheese.

Q5: Can I add lemon flavor?
Absolutely—lemon zest pairs beautifully with blueberries.