Caramel Cream Cheese Bread (Printable)

Moist quick bread with a creamy cheesecake center and sweet caramel swirls throughout.

# What you'll need:

→ Bread Batter

01 - 2 cups light brown sugar, packed
02 - 4 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 2 tablespoons baking powder
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 2 cups whole milk or 2% milk
07 - 2/3 cup vegetable oil

→ Cream Cheese Filling

08 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
10 - 1 large egg

→ Topping

11 - 1/4 cup caramel sauce

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 1-pound loaf pans thoroughly to prevent sticking.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large mixing bowl or using a stand mixer, beat eggs, milk, and vegetable oil until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix to maintain tender crumb structure.
05 - Divide half of the bread batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.
06 - In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and egg until smooth and uniform.
07 - Spoon cream cheese mixture in a continuous line down the center of the batter in each prepared loaf pan.
08 - Top with remaining bread batter, spreading gently with a spatula to cover the cream cheese layer completely.
09 - Drizzle caramel sauce in a stripe across the top of each loaf. Using a knife, gently swirl the caramel into the batter with minimal movement to create marbled effect.
10 - Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with some cream cheese residue acceptable.
11 - Allow loaves to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling before slicing.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks fancy but uses everyday ingredients you probably already have.
  • The cream cheese center stays creamy and rich, almost like biting into cheesecake.
  • You can slice it thick for dessert or thin for breakfast without anyone judging.
  • Two loaves mean one for now and one to freeze or gift.
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese is non negotiable, cold cream cheese won't blend and you'll end up with lumps in the filling.
  • Don't overfill the pans, leave at least an inch of space at the top or the batter will spill over as it rises.
  • Swirl the caramel gently, one or two passes is enough or it disappears into the batter and you lose the visual effect.
  • If your toothpick comes out with wet batter, give it another five minutes, but cream cheese streaks are normal and mean it's done.
03 -
  • Weigh your flour if you have a scale, 480 grams total, because too much flour makes the bread dry and dense.
  • Line the bottom of your loaf pans with parchment paper for the easiest release, you'll never have a stuck loaf again.
  • Warm the caramel sauce slightly before drizzling so it flows smoothly and swirls beautifully without clumping.
  • Bake both loaves on the center rack at the same time, just leave a little space between them for air circulation.
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