Caramel Cream Cheese Bread is a decadent and rich dessert bread that combines the flavors of creamy caramel and tangy cream cheese within a soft, sweet bread base. This dessert is known for its luxurious texture and irresistible flavor profile, making it a favorite for indulgent breakfasts, brunches, or as a sweet treat.
The bread itself is typically a sweet yeast dough, which forms the foundation of the dish. This dough is made from a blend of flour, sugar, yeast, and often includes milk and butter, which contribute to its tender crumb and rich flavor. Eggs are also added to the dough, giving it a soft, rich texture. The dough is kneaded until smooth and then left to rise, creating a light and fluffy base.
The cream cheese filling is a key component of this bread. Softened cream cheese is blended with sugar, adding a sweetness that complements its natural tanginess. Vanilla extract and sometimes a hint of lemon zest are added for flavor depth. This mixture is then beaten until smooth and creamy. In some recipes, an egg may be added to the cream cheese mixture, helping it set during baking and adding richness.
Caramel is another star ingredient in this dessert bread. In some recipes, store-bought caramel sauce is used for convenience, while others may call for a homemade caramel, made from cooking sugar with butter and cream. The caramel is layered or swirled into the bread, creating ribbons of sweet, gooey flavor throughout.
To assemble, the risen dough is rolled out and then spread with the cream cheese mixture. Caramel is drizzled over the cream cheese, and then the dough is rolled up, similar to a cinnamon roll. This roll is then placed in a bread pan, with the swirls of cream cheese and caramel running through it.
The bread is baked until golden brown. As it bakes, the flavors meld together – the dough becomes soft and pillowy, the cream cheese filling turns rich and gooey, and the caramel infuses the bread with its buttery sweetness.
Once baked, Caramel Cream Cheese Bread can be drizzled with additional caramel on top for extra sweetness and a beautiful finish. The bread is often served warm, allowing the cream cheese and caramel to be slightly melted and oozy.
This dessert bread is a delightful combination of flavors and textures – the softness of the bread, the richness of the cream cheese, and the sweet decadence of caramel. It’s a treat that’s both comforting and indulgent, perfect for those who love sweet breads and the classic pairing of caramel and cream cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup caramel topping
- 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How To Make Caramel Cream Cheese Bread
- Preheat oven to 350º F and lightly grease two 9×5-inch loaf pans with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl or mixer, then, one at a time, beat in eggs and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon until combined. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring until just incorporated.
- Pour ¼ of the batter into each greased baking dish. Spoon ¼ cup caramel topping on top of the batter and swirl, keeping it away from the edges of the pan.
- Gently add the remaining batter on top of the caramel layers.
- Place in oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and let cool before serving. Enjoy!
