Welcome to a culinary delight that promises sunshine in every bite: our incredible stuffed lemon sweet braided bread. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s an invitation to experience a beautifully golden, fluffy loaf filled with a vibrant lemon curd and rich cream cheese. If you’ve been searching for a show-stopping pastry that’s as impressive to look at as it is to taste, your quest ends here. Perfect for elevating any brunch spread, afternoon tea, or holiday gathering, this braided bread is guaranteed to impress with its intricate appearance and irresistible flavors.
For those who adore the bright, zesty notes of citrus, this lemon braided bread recipe is truly a dream come true. The filling masterfully blends the intense tang of lemon curd with the subtle sweetness and creamy texture of cream cheese, creating a harmonious core that’s both indulgent and refreshing. Encased in a golden, soft sweet bread, each slice offers a burst of flavor and a comforting warmth that feels like a sweet hug from your kitchen.
What makes this braided lemon bread even more appealing is its surprising simplicity. Despite its sophisticated appearance, the mock braid technique is remarkably straightforward and perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Forget complicated yeast work or hours of kneading; this recipe leverages the convenience of frozen bread dough, allowing you to achieve bakery-quality results with minimal effort. Simply roll, fill, and fold—and watch as this stunning creation comes to life, ready to delight everyone at your table.
Why This Lemon Braided Bread Will Be Your Go-To
- Visually Stunning Presentation: This braided lemon bread isn’t just a treat for the taste buds; it’s a feast for the eyes. The elegant braid, revealing glimpses of the bright lemon and cream cheese filling, makes it look like it just emerged from a high-end bakery. It’s the perfect centerpiece to impress family and guests, adding a touch of sophistication to any table.
- A Symphony of Flavors: Experience the perfect harmony of sweet and tangy. The vibrant, zippy lemon curd cuts beautifully through the rich, smooth cream cheese, creating a filling that’s both refreshing and deeply satisfying. This delicate balance of flavors is what makes this lemon curd bread braid utterly irresistible.
- Incredibly Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re planning a leisurely Sunday brunch, a fancy afternoon tea, a festive holiday dessert, or simply a comforting breakfast, this cream cheese bread braid fits seamlessly. Its adaptable nature means it’s always a welcome addition, pairing wonderfully with coffee, tea, or even fresh fruit.
The Allure of Lemon and Cream Cheese
The magic of this sweet braided bread lies in its exquisite filling. The sharp, sweet notes of lemon curd bring a refreshing zing, while the creamy, tangy cream cheese provides a luxurious counterpoint, creating a textural and flavorful experience that’s simply divine. This combination ensures that every bite is a delightful journey for your palate, making it a standout among lemon-infused treats.
Effortless Elegance: A Beginner-Friendly Recipe
You don’t need years of baking experience to create this stunning loaf. The mock braid technique, while looking complex, is surprisingly simple to execute. This recipe empowers home bakers to achieve impressive results with ease, proving that beautiful pastries don’t have to be difficult. It’s truly a testament to how simple ingredients and smart techniques can yield spectacular outcomes.
Unleashing the Zest: A Deep Dive into the Flavors
The Bright Spark: Zesty Lemon Curd
Lemon curd is the heart of this braided bread, infusing it with its signature tangy and sweet profile. Its vibrant citrus notes are what give the bread its sunny disposition and irresistible freshness. Whether you choose store-bought for convenience or homemade for an extra touch of love, quality lemon curd is key to the bread’s delightful taste.
Creamy Indulgence: Rich Cream Cheese Filling
Complementing the lemon curd is a decadent cream cheese filling that adds incredible richness and a subtle tang. This creamy layer mellows the lemon’s sharpness, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile that’s both comforting and luxurious. The smooth texture of the cream cheese also contributes to the bread’s soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior.
The Secret to Stress-Free Baking: Frozen Bread Dough
Why Frozen Dough is a Game-Changer
In the world of baking, time-saving helpers are invaluable, especially when you desire homemade quality without all the effort. This is precisely why we champion the use of frozen bread dough in our recipes. Traditional yeast bread can be finicky – inconsistent kneading, expired yeast, or an improper rise can lead to dense, flat results that are far from ideal.
With ready-made frozen dough, you eliminate these common baking hurdles. It guarantees a perfect, consistent rise and texture every single time, ensuring your baked goods are light, fluffy, and beautifully golden. You won’t need a stand mixer, nor will you have to worry about sourcing special ingredients like bread flour, butter, or active dry yeast. This simplicity is particularly cherished during busy holidays or special occasions, preventing last-minute baking mishaps and allowing you to enjoy the process without stress. This braided bread with lemon curd and cream cheese filling is not just delicious, it’s foolproof – simply thaw, fill, and bake, for a beautiful loaf with a perfect crust.
Beyond Braids: Other Uses for Frozen Dough
The versatility of frozen bread dough extends far beyond this sweet braided bread. It’s an essential pantry staple for creating a wide array of delicious recipes. Imagine quickly whipping up a homemade pizza for a weeknight dinner, crafting soft dinner rolls to accompany a family meal, or even experimenting with savory stuffed breads. Having frozen dough on hand means you’re always just a few steps away from a fresh, home-baked treat, proving that convenience doesn’t have to compromise quality.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Perfection
Essential Components (and why they matter)
- Frozen Bread Dough: The foundation of this easy recipe. We recommend a quality brand like Bridgford’s Ready-Dough for consistent, excellent results, saving you significant time and effort.
- Cream Cheese: Provides the luxurious creamy texture and a slight tang to the filling. For the richest, most consistent filling, opt for full-fat cream cheese. Reduced-fat versions can sometimes contain binders or fillers that may yield unpredictable results in baking.
- White Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese filling, balancing the tartness of the lemon.
- Sour Cream: Adds essential moisture and a delightful tang to the cream cheese mixture, ensuring a smooth and flavorful filling. If sour cream isn’t available, plain Greek yogurt can be a good substitute.
- Lemon Juice: Crucial for that bright, zippy citrus flavor. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended over reconstituted varieties, as it delivers a far superior, more vibrant taste. You’ll only need about half a lemon for this recipe.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used in the cream cheese filling to provide structure and prevent the filling from becoming too runny during baking, ensuring a perfect set.
- Lemon Curd: The star of the show, delivering intense lemon flavor and a beautiful golden hue. While a jar of prepared lemon curd makes this recipe incredibly quick, consider trying a homemade lemon curd recipe for an even richer, more personalized touch.
- Large Egg: Beaten with a little water, it creates an egg wash that gives the braided bread a glossy, golden-brown finish, making it even more appetizing. While milk or olive oil can be used as alternatives, they may slightly alter the bread’s final texture and color.
Smart Swaps & Flavor Boosters
- Lemon Zest (Optional): For an extra burst of intense lemon flavor, grate some fresh lemon zest into the cream cheese filling. It truly elevates the citrus profile.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Can be used as a natural sweetener alternative to white sugar in the cream cheese filling.
Creative Recipe Variations
- Berry Lemon Braids: Elevate your lemon braided bread by adding a layer of fresh or frozen berries. Blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries spooned over the lemon curd and cream cheese filling introduce an extra layer of fruity sweetness and a beautiful burst of color. Finish with a simple drizzle of powdered sugar glaze made with vanilla extract and a touch of milk or water.
- Citrus Twist: Don’t limit yourself to lemon! Experiment with other citrus curds like bright orange curd or zesty lime curd to create an entirely new flavor profile. These variations offer a delightful spin on the classic, perfect for a change of pace.
- Nutty Delight: For added texture and a rich, nutty flavor, sprinkle finely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts over the filling before braiding. The subtle crunch beautifully complements the soft bread and creamy filling.
- Glazed Perfection: Once baked and cooled, drizzle your braided bread with a homemade lemon glaze or simply dust it generously with powdered sugar for an elegant and sweet finish. A lemon glaze made with powdered sugar and lemon juice will enhance the citrus flavor even further.
- Savory Option: For a unique savory bread braid, skip the sweet fillings entirely. Instead, stuff the dough with a delectable mixture of sautéed spinach and feta cheese, or a classic combination of ham and Swiss cheese. This transforms the sweet braided bread into a versatile savory loaf perfect for dinner or appetizers.
Equipment Essentials for a Flawless Braid
- Baking Sheet: A sturdy baking sheet is essential for evenly baking your braided bread to a beautiful golden perfection. Lining it with parchment paper will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
- Bench Scraper or Sharp Knife: These tools are invaluable for making clean, precise cuts in the dough, which are crucial for achieving that neat, impressive braided appearance. A bench scraper also helps with handling and transferring dough.
- Ruler (Optional but Recommended): While not strictly necessary, a ruler can be incredibly helpful for ensuring uniform strips when cutting the dough. This attention to detail results in a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing braid.
Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Irresistible Lemon Bread Braid
Preparing the Luxurious Filling
- Begin by thawing one loaf of frozen bread dough according to package instructions, typically at room temperature until pliable.
- While the dough thaws, prepare your rich cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, white sugar, room temperature sour cream, all-purpose flour, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. If desired, add a teaspoon of lemon zest for a more intense citrus aroma. Stir all ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and lump-free.
Shaping the Dough: The Foundation of Your Braid
- Once your dough is at room temperature and easily workable, lightly flour your work surface. Roll the dough into a rectangular shape, approximately 9 inches by 12 inches. It doesn’t have to be perfectly exact, but aim for an even thickness.
- Place the rolled-out dough on a sheet of parchment paper on your baking sheet. Using a bench scraper or a ruler, gently make two lengthwise indentations down the dough, about 3 inches apart. These lines will delineate the center section where your filling will go, leaving two side sections for braiding.
- Evenly spread the prepared cream cheese filling onto the middle center section of the dough, making sure to leave a 1-inch border without filling at both the top and bottom edges. This border is crucial for sealing the braid later.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip: Chill the dough slightly before cutting and braiding to make it much easier to handle. A slightly chilled dough holds its shape better, which results in a neater and more defined braid, enhancing its bakery-quality appearance.
- Carefully spoon the lemon curd on top of the cream cheese filling, gently spreading it level to form a vibrant, two-layer filling.
- Now, using your ruler and bench scraper or a sharp knife, make 1-inch-wide strips down both side sections of the dough, adjacent to the filling. Cut diagonally into the corners of the dough next to the first strip on all four sides to create neat tabs for folding.
The Art of the Mock Braid
- To begin braiding your beautiful lemon curd loaf, first fold the top flap of the dough (the 1-inch border you left) over the cream cheese filling to secure the top.
- Next, take the uppermost right strip and bring it diagonally over the center filling, gently pressing it down to adhere. Then, take the uppermost left strip and cross it diagonally over the center, pressing down to create a crisscross pattern. Continue this process, alternating right and left strips, overlapping them to create the signature braided effect, until you reach the bottom of the cream cheese bread braid.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip: Always keep frozen dough in your freezer! It’s a fantastic ingredient to have on hand for impromptu baking. Everyone loves freshly baked goods, and it’s incredibly convenient to pull out a few rolls for dinner or to create a show-stopping sweet braided bread for special occasions like Easter or family gatherings.
- Once all strips have been crossed, fold up the bottom flap of the dough over the filling. Then, gently tuck and cross the last remaining strips underneath the stuffed bread braid loaf to create a neat, sealed end.
Rise, Brush, and Bake to Golden Perfection
- Lightly cover your sweet bread braid with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and allow it to rise in a warm spot until it looks visibly puffy, usually about 45 minutes. This final rise will give your bread its light and airy texture.
- While the bread is rising, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a small bowl, whisk together one large egg with 2 teaspoons of water to create an egg wash. Once the dough has sufficiently risen, gently brush the egg wash generously over the entire surface of the cream cheese bread braid. This will give it a beautiful golden sheen and help with browning.
- Place the sheet pan with your braided bread into the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove the baked braided lemon bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly and the flavors to meld.
Serving Suggestions: Elevate Your Experience
This braided bread recipe is incredibly versatile and makes a perfect addition to any meal. Whether you serve it for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, it’s absolutely delicious both warm from the oven or at room temperature. For a truly cozy treat, enjoy thick slices of this lemony loaf with a steaming glass of warm milk or a comforting cup of tea. It also beautifully complements a brunch platter, offering a delightful sweet counterpoint to savory items like fresh vegetables, charcuterie, or a fruit salad.
To further enhance your homemade bread, consider sprinkling a light dusting of poppy seeds or sesame seeds over the egg wash before baking for an added textural element and visual appeal. Alternatively, once the loaf has cooled, a delicate dusting of powdered sugar creates an elegant, sweet finish that’s sure to impress. If you’re a true enthusiast of citrus desserts, this lemon braided bread pairs wonderfully with other tangy treats, such as a refreshing lemon poke cake made with Jell-O, adding another layer of bright, sweet goodness to your dessert spread.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare and braid the dough up to a day in advance. Simply cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. Before baking, remove it from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature for about 45-60 minutes, or until it looks puffy and risen, then proceed with the baking instructions.
Yes, this bread freezes beautifully. Once the braided loaf has completely cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then reheat briefly in a warm oven (around 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes to restore its freshness.
While store-bought lemon curd offers convenience, you can easily make your own from scratch if you prefer. We recommend this easy lemon curd recipe for a homemade option. Alternatively, you can substitute the lemon curd with another fruit curd, such as orange or lime curd, for a delightful citrus variation.
Any leftover lemon curd loaf should be stored in the refrigerator. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to 3 days, maintaining its freshness and delicious flavor.
More Sweet & Fruity Delights to Try…
- Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls
- Almond Scone Recipe
- Raspberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Bisquick Cherry Cobbler
If you tried this braided lemon bread recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below or share your photos with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Thanks for visiting!
The Ultimate Lemon Braided Bread Recipe
By Renae Gerhardstein
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- baking sheet or casserole dish
- bench scraper or knife
- ruler – optional but helpful
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Bridgford Ready Dough thawed
Lemon Cream Cheese filling
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream room temperature
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest optional
- ¾ cup lemon curd see notes for recipe, or use prepared
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten lightly
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
Prepare the braided bread with filling
- Prepare the filling by mixing the cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, and flour in a large bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Roll room temperature dough into a rectangle shape about 9” by 12.” Using a bench scraper or ruler, make 2 equal indentations down the dough lengthwise in about 3” apart (see photos). The middle section is where you will evenly spread the cheese filling, leaving 1” spacing without cheese filling at the top and bottom.
- Using your ruler and bench scraper or knife, make 1” indentation strips down the two sides next to the filling. Notch out the corners (as shown) above the first strip on all four sides. Top with the lemon curd, smoothing it level.
Braid the bread loaf
- To make the braids, fold down the top flap up over the filling. Then, take the top right strip, and bring it over to the center of the filing at an angle and lightly press down. Do the same with the left side in a crisscross, repeating the process until you get close to the bottom of the cream cheese bread braid. Fold up the bottom tab, and cross the last strips under the bread loaf.
- Lightly cover the sweet bread braid and let rise until puffy. This will take about 45 minutes.
Baking the loaf
- Preheat your oven to 375ºF. In a small bowl, mix the egg with 2 teaspoons of water, then brush egg wash on top of the bread braid. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Keep frozen dough in your freezer, so it is ready when you need it. Everyone loves freshly baked rolls or this stuffed braided bread, and it is so handy to pull out a few rolls out for dinner. Or when you need to make a showstopper bread twist or braid for a holiday event like Easter.
- Chill the dough slightly before cutting and braiding to make it easier to handle. A chilled dough holds its shape better, resulting in a neater braid.
- To make your own lemon curd, I recommend this Easy Lemon Curd recipe.
Recipe Variations:
- Berry lemon braid: Add a layer of fresh or frozen berries (like blueberries or raspberries) spoon on top of the lemon curd and cream cheese for extra flavor. Make a swirl drizzle on top with powder sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or water.
- Citrus twist: Swap the lemon curd for orange or lime curd for a different citrusy spin.
- Nutty delight: Sprinkle chopped almonds or salt pecans over the filling for added crunch.
This recipe was adapted from King Arthur Flour’s Lemon Braided Bread recipe.
Storing Instructions:
- Wrap the baked and cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in the oven for freshness.
- You can prepare and braid the dough a day ahead, then refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before baking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving
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Calories: 344kcal
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Carbohydrates: 49g
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Protein: 8g
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Fat: 13g
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Saturated Fat: 7g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g
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Trans Fat: 1g
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Cholesterol: 48mg
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Sodium: 396mg
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Potassium: 124mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 23g
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Vitamin A: 360IU
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Vitamin C: 1mg
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Calcium: 104mg
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Iron: 2mg