Fresh blueberries paired with lemon is a perfect combination in this blueberry lemon bread. This quick bread is perfect for breakfast or a midday snack or even served as a dessert.
Whip this quick bread together in just about 10 minutes. Fresh or frozen blueberries can be used which means you can make this delicious bread year round!
Why make this bread
Quick breads are very similar to muffins. They can be mixed together in just 10 minutes and then baked. Breads do take much longer to bake than muffins, but once cooled the bread can be sliced up and served.
Blueberries and lemon are a classic pairing. They just go perfectly together. I also have a recipe for blueberry lemon popsicles and I have blueberry lemon bars!
Steps to make bread
- Combine melted butter and sugar together in a bowl
- Add milk, eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix until combined
- Fold in flour, baking soda and salt
- Add blueberries and fold gently.
- Put in a greased bread pan and bake.
Tips for making quick bread
- Do not overmix batter
- Bake in a fully preheated oven
- Test bread for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs, bread is cooked through. If toothpick comes out with wet crumbs or batter, the bread needs to cook longer
- Allow bread to fully cool before slicing
Fresh or frozen berries
I use fresh if I have them, otherwise frozen blueberries work well. Using frozen berries makes it possible to enjoy this bread all year long!
I love eating fresh blueberries, but frozen ones are a great treat. There is no difference once the berries are cooked up in a bread or dessert. If using frozen berries, don't thaw before adding to batter. Just fold them in frozen and increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Mini loaves
You can make this bread into mini loaves. You will use two small bread pans instead of one regular sized bread pan.
Reduce cooking time to 45 minutes. I often make small loaves because I like the size and each slice makes a perfect sized snack. The small loaves make perfect gifts too!
FAQs
Yes, this bread is perfect for freezing. Allow bread to fully cool then place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to a month. I like to slice my bread before freezing, but you can freeze whole as well.
Yes, fresh or frozen blueberries may be used. If you use frozen berries, do not thaw the berries first. Increase the cooking time 5-10 minutes.
More great recipes with blueberries
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my bread recipes!
Blueberry Lemon Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ Cup butter (melted)
- ¾ Cup sugar
- ½ Cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
Regular Loaf
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a loaf pan with a non-stick spray.
- In a mixing bowl combine butter and sugar.
- Add milk, eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix until combined.
- Add flour. baking powder and salt. Mix until combined.
- With a spatula gently fold blueberries into mixture.
- Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake at 350 for 60 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool in pan on a cooling rack for 15 minutes.
- Carefully remove from pan and continue cooling on rack.
Mini Loaf
- Follow instructions above for making bread batter.
- Place batter in two greased mini loaf pans.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.
Notes
- Can use fresh or frozen blueberries.
- If adding frozen, do not thaw before adding.
- Cooking time will increase by about 10 minutes when using frozen berries.
- Do not overmix batter
- Bake in a fully preheated oven
- Test bread for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs, bread is cooked through. If toothpick comes out with wet crumbs or batter, the bread needs to cook longer
- Allow bread to fully cool before slicing
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from The New Basics Cookbook.
This recipe was originally published in May of 2016. Many of the photos and the post have been updated.
Natanja says
This is perfect for afternoon tea. It looks so fluffy and tender, omg I am swooning!
P.S. Never be sorry for posting a lot of blueberry/lemon desserts, you can never have enough of those 😉
Kathy says
I need to start having afternoon tea! It sounds so elegant.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I'm glad you can't help yourself, Kathy, because I love blueberries paired with lemon! And this loaf looks absolutely delicious.. and gorgeous! I could easily eat this entire loaf in less than 4 minutes! Cheers, friend!
Kathy says
Less than 4 minutes! You'd better make two loaves so it will last you a bit.
Laura ~ Raise Your Garden says
Blueberries and lemon are definitely a winning combination. I wish that were an ice cream flavor. Anyhow, I will have to try this! It looks like something I need right now for that afternoon slump.
Kathy says
I think you're on to something....lemon blueberry ice cream! Hmmmmmmm.....
Rahul @samosastreet.com says
Breakfast food is seriously the best! This blueberry lemon bread seriously looks PERFECT, Kathy. I wish I could grab a piece out of my computer screen.
Kathy says
It is absolute perfection!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
I adore blueberries and lemon too. But I have never combined these beauties in a bread. This one looks so bright and refreshing, Kathy. I wish I could have a few slices right away. 🙂
Kathy says
You need to give it a try!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Yep, these are classic flavors I can never get enough of! Oh, how I love me some blueberry bread straight from the oven! YUM!
Kathy says
It is great straight from the oven....it is a bit crumbly if you don't let it cool. Just giving you a warning!
David @ Spiced says
Blueberry + lemon is such an excellent combination, Kathy! I can see why you'd go for these two together again. And that loaf? It looks amazing! I bet it would be excellent toasted with a little bit of butter. Totally pinning this one for later. Yum!
Kathy says
I need to try toasting it! That sounds perfect.
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I love the combination of blueberries and lemon! And I have lots of frozen berries so this recipe would be perfect to make soon. Perfect eaten straight from the oven with a smear of butter 🙂
Kathy says
A little butter always makes things better!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Hey Kathy, while I'm writing to you my husband is making lemon blueberry waffles. We're on the same page 😉 ! We love this combo: the smell, the flavor, just can't get enough! Your bread looks fantastic, tall and moist and juicy from the blueberries!
Kathy says
Blueberries and lemon are perfect together! Love the waffle idea!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Hey Kathy - such a gorgeous loaf and a wonderful combo with the lemon. I love blueberries and this is a great way to satisfy that craving.. love a little something sweet with a cup of tea in the afternoon. Our blueberries won't be ready until mid-July, but I'm sure I could make this with frozen ones too. Have a great weekend!
Kathy says
It works perfectly with frozen blueberries!