Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (2024)

By Amy @ Positively Splendid

Few things can rival freshly baked sweet bread, warm from the oven. And when you roll it up with a luscious cream cheese filling and cover it with a warm vanilla glaze, the result it out-of-this-world delicious. This Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread is a tradition each Christmas morning in our family. Why not bake some this Christmas to start a new tradition of your own?

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread

  • 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream (not reduced fat)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 packages dry yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
  • 1/2 cup warm water (105-115 degrees)
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • Filling (recipe follows)
  • Glaze (recipe follows)

Combine sour cream, sugar, butter, and salt in a saucepan; heat until butter melts. Cool to 105-115 degrees. Dissolve yeast in warm water in the bowl of an electric stand mixer or a large bowl; allow to bloom for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream mixture and eggs. Using your mixer’s paddle attachment, gradually stir in flour. (The resulting dough will be sticky.) Cover dough tightly, and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Turn each portion onto a heavily floured surface, and knead 4 or 5 times. Roll each portion into a 12- x 8-inch rectangle. Spread one-fourth of the filling over each rectangle, leaving a 1/2-inch margin around the edges. Fold in each of the short sides, and then carefully roll up dough jellyroll fashion, starting at long side. Pinch the seam and ends to seal. Place loaves, seam side down, on greased baking sheets. Use a sharp knife or kitchen shears to make 6 equally spaced x-shaped cuts across the top o each loaf.

Cover the loaves and let rise for for 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes. Drizzle loaves with glaze while warm.

Filling

  • 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of an electric stand mixer. Stir to combine.

Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl; whisk together to combine.

Because this recipe yields four generously sized loaves, you can save two for your family and give two away. These make a gorgeous gift when wrapped in parchment paper and tied with a pretty ribbon!

Looking for even more delicious recipes to add your your repertoire? Check out these other tasty treats from the PS archives!

Pecan Cheescake Squares

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (5)

Apple-Praline Bread

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (6)

Apple-Cream Cheese Cake with Praline Frosting

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (7)

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (8)

Amy @ Positively Splendid

Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.

EVEN MORE GREAT IDEAS JUST FOR YOU!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (9)Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says

    Hi Amy! I found you through Pinterest. I LOVE this bread idea!!! And the filling possibilities – oh my! Thanks for sharing!

    • Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (10)Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Thanks so much, Anna!

  2. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (11)Dawn says

    I love bread so much I have a Pin board just for it! And with cream cheese and icing? Yes, please! I’ll be trying this one ASAP! Gorgeous pics too!

    • Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (12)Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Thanks so much, Dawn!

  3. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (13)Katie {Sweet Rose Studio} says

    Amy–These look absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing an amazing recipe!

  4. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (14)Annie says

    How far ahead have you ever made the dough? I see refrigerate for at least 8 hours. Have you ever let it refrigerate for a whole day?

  5. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (15)Marsha says

    Can this be frozen?

    • Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (16)Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Marsha, I have frozen these with great success. I always wrap tightly in two layers of foil before freezing. To thaw, place on the counter to defrost at room temp.

  6. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (17)Mary Ann says

    Thank you for this recipe. I thought my bread machine cinnamon rolls were the best, but this recipe may top them. I’m going to try it this week!

  7. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (18)Aimee @ ShugarySweets says

    Pinning this recipe for sure. I LOVE how gorgeous this turned out!!

  8. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (19)Denise says

    Thanks, nice recipe. For one I tried mixing in frozen raspberries in the cream cheese mixture. It was delicious.

  9. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (20)Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    This is gorgeous! Just pinned it! I love making bread and with cream cheese filling, even better!

  10. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (21)Paula says

    I have been making these for Christmas presents for about 20 years now. If I am a little late, I have friends wondering where there Cream Cheese Braid is. I make the dough and leave in refrig overnight. I have to make two batches at a time. My son always wants his two or three to take with him. Love it.

    • Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (22)Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      Paula, my mother has made these as Christmas gifts for many years, too! How neat that we share a tradition!

  11. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (23)Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

    Love this! And I know this makes 4 and all but I really just want to keep all of them for myself!

  12. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (24)eva says

    this recipe looks amazing, do you think I can freeze the unbaked dough? I always get a little confused when freezing yeast doughs, would I let it rise, work it a little then freeze?
    thanks so much for any help!

  13. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (25)Shannon says

    This looks awesome, I think I’ll be making this for Christmas morning breakfast this year!

  14. Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (26)Danielle says

    If I were to freeze this, would you do it after baked, filled and glazed? If not, at what stage of the process would you freeze?

    • Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (27)Amy @ Positively Splendid says

      I always freeze after the rolls are complete, glaze and all. I wrap in plastic wrap, and then wrap in heavy-duty foil. Before serving, I defrost in the fridge overnight.

Cream Cheese-Filled Sweet Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do bakeries put in bread to keep it soft? ›

Add an Enzyme. To extend the shelf life of products, many bakers use specially formulated enzymes for preservation. These naturally occurring protein compounds can keep baked goods soft while preventing crumbling and staling.

Can you put cream cheese on regular bread? ›

Whether you eat white bread, wheat bread, gluten free bread, grain free bread.. they all work great! The toast is simply a vehicle for the delicious flavors! Toast the bread. Last, spread out the cream cheese and arrange the toppings as quickly or neatly as you'd like!

Does cream cheese bread need to be refrigerated? ›

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that any foods made with cream cheese, including cream cheese frosting, need to be refrigerated within two hours. This includes baked goods made with cream cheese, such as pound cakes and cream cheese cookies.

How do you make cream cheese filling thicker? ›

Mix 1 tablespoon (25 grams) of cornstarch into the frosting. If it is still too runny, add a little more. Continue to add cornstarch until you are happy with the texture. Avoid adding more than 1/2 cup (62.5 grams) of cornstarch per 8 oz (226 grams) of cream cheese.

Why use cream cheese in baking? ›

Baking with this ingredient is not only easy to do but can add a mouthwatering flavor to your baked goods. While there are some techniques to create a fluffy frosting for a cake and delectable cheesecakes with it, it's a simple ingredient that will make your baked dishes stand out.

How do you make sweet bread last longer? ›

Keep Them Tightly Sealed

If you are going to eat the goods in the next few days, then an airtight container will suffice. For bread, keep it cool and dry in a breathable bag or quality bread box. For cakes, cookies and muffins put them in an airtight container.

Why is bakery bread so fluffy? ›

There's something magical about the bread you get at your local bakeries - they're always sooo soft and fluffy. Many of these breads, especially packaged ones, are made with a ton of chemical additives such as calcium propionate, amylase, and chlorine dioxide which help keep them soft, light, and fluffy for days.

What is the secret to a soft and fluffy bread? ›

Add Sugar

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

When not to use cream cheese? ›

Cream cheese that has been continuously refrigerated can last for several weeks. “Cream cheese packages that haven't been opened can be used for up to two to three weeks past their best by date,” Edwards says. “Once opened, it's best to use cream cheese within ten days.

Can you use Philadelphia for cream cheese? ›

I tend to stick to using Philadelphia full fat original cream cheese, because I find it works best. The cream cheeses in Aldi and Lidl are also good.. but for example, other supermarket own cream cheeses have a lot more water just floating on the top.

Can you use Philadelphia cheese as cream cheese? ›

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is a brand of cream cheese. It is one of the best selling brands of cream cheese worldwide, first produced in 1872 and currently owned by Kraft Heinz and Mondelez International.

Can I eat cream cheese that sat out all night? ›

Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

How long is cream cheese bread good for? ›

Yes, you can make this cream cheese sweet bread ahead of time. It tastes delicious fresh out of the oven but even better on the next day after it has been warmed slightly. Store it covered at room temperature (or in a cold place if it's a hot day). It will keep fresh for 2-3 days.

Can you eat cake that was left out overnight? ›

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Is cream cheese in a tub the same as cream cheese in a block? ›

When cream cheese is in a tub it is whipped making it lighter, creamier, and airier then the brick style. It should really taste the same, but it might just be lighter in consistency causing the effect of a different taste.

Is cream cheese made from heavy cream? ›

Whole milk thins the heavy cream and makes for a lighter finished product. Most commercial cream cheese is made from a blend of milk and cream, but feel free to play with the ratio to adjust to your personal preference.

What is the watery substance in cream cheese? ›

Excess Moisture: If the cream cheese was initially too soft or contained excess moisture, it can release water as it sits. Freezing and Thawing: Freezing cream cheese can alter its texture, and when it's thawed, it may become watery due to the separation of liquids from the solids.

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