Cream cheese bread
Cream cheese bread is a soft and fluffy homemade bread with a rich and slightly tangy taste. It combines the smooth texture of cream cheese with the light structure of yeast dough. The result is a tender crumb that feels soft in every bite. This bread is lightly sweet, making it perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert.
Why You Will Love This Bread
This bread is simple to make and uses basic ingredients you may already have at home. The cream cheese makes the dough extra soft and moist. It stays fresh longer than many other breads. The golden crust, brushed with egg wash, gives it a bakery-style finish.
Another reason to love this recipe is its versatility. You can enjoy it plain, toasted, or with butter and jam. It also pairs well with tea or coffee. Whether you are baking for your family or for guests, this bread is always a great choice.
Preparation Made Easy
The preparation process is straightforward and beginner-friendly. You can mix the dry ingredients and combine them with milk, egg, and cream cheese to form a soft dough.
Kneading is an important step. First, you knead the dough to build structure. Then you add softened butter and continue kneading until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This method helps create a soft and airy texture.
After kneading, the dough needs time to rise. This step allows the yeast to work and gives the bread its light and fluffy texture. Once the dough has doubled in size, you shape it into a loaf and let it rise again before baking. A simple egg wash before baking gives the bread a shiny and golden crust.
Baking and Serving
The bread is baked at 180°C until golden brown. As it bakes, your kitchen will fill with a warm and inviting aroma. Once done, let it cool before slicing to keep the texture perfect.
You can serve this bread in many ways. Enjoy it fresh, toast it for a crisp edge, or add a light glaze for extra sweetness. It also makes a great base for creative toppings.
Try More Delicious Bread Recipes
If you enjoy baking this cream cheese bread, there are many other bread recipes to explore. From classic loaves to sweet and enriched doughs, each recipe offers something unique. Try different flavours, shapes, and techniques to build your baking skills.
Check out more bread recipes and find your next favorite bake. Your kitchen is the perfect place to create something warm, comforting, and delicious.
Cream cheese bread
Ingredients
Tangzhong
- 20 g bread flour
- 100 ml milk
Dough
- All the tangzhong
- 320 g bread flour
- 40 g sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 egg
- 90-110 ml lukewarm milk
- 60 g cream cheese softened
- 30 g unsalted butter softened
Egg wash* see notes
- 1 Egg
- 1 tbsp milk
Instructions
Make the tangzhong
- In a small saucepan, whisk 20 g flour and 100 ml milk.20 g bread flour, 100 ml milk
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a pudding-like paste (about 65°C / 149°F if measuring). Remove from heat and cool.
Mix the dough
- In a mixing bowl combine bread flour, sugar, salt and instant yeast.320 g bread flour, 40 g sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp instant yeast
- Add tangzhong, egg and cream cheese.All the tangzhong, 1 egg, 60 g cream cheese
- Pour in the milk/yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms.90-110 ml lukewarm milk
- Knead for 8–10 minutes (or 5–7 minutes with a mixer) until smooth and elastic.
- Gradually knead in the softened butter, a little at a time, until fully incorporated.30 g unsalted butter
- Continue kneading for another 3–5 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
- Place dough in a greased bowl.
- Cover and let rise until doubled, about 60–90 minutes.
Shape
- Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a greased loaf pan.
- Cover and let rise for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
Egg wash
- Lightly beat an egg with milk or water and brush it over the top of the dough for a shiny, golden crust.1 Egg, 1 tbsp milk
Bake
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
- Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Cool before slicing.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—just activate it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar for 5–10 minutes until foamy before using.
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough after the first rise overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Adding butter later helps develop gluten first, resulting in a softer, more elastic dough.
It should be golden brown on top and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Absolutely—divide the dough into smaller portions and reduce baking time to about 18–22 minutes.
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