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Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Sourdough Loaf

A cozy, citrus-kissed sourdough loaf with bursts of fresh blueberries and creamy lemon filling, perfect for brunch or gifting.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 day
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, Homemade
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 500 g bread flour (or strong all-purpose)
  • 350 ml room temperature water Helps fermentation.
  • 100 g active sourdough starter (fed and bubbly) Should be bubbly and risen.
  • 10 g fine sea salt Mixes evenly.
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries (washed and dried) Gently wash and pat dry to avoid moisture.
Filling Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup cream cheese (softened for easy spreading) Should be soft for spreading.
  • Zest of 1 large lemon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons sugar (white or cane)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Method
 

Mixing the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, water, and starter until you get a shaggy mass. Rest uncovered for 30 minutes so the flour hydrates.
Kneading the Dough
  1. Sprinkle the salt over the dough, then fold and knead by hand for 3–5 minutes until the dough feels smoother and a bit tacky.
Bulk Fermentation
  1. Cover the bowl and let it sit for 4–6 hours at room temperature, performing stretch-and-folds every 30–45 minutes.
Prepare the Filling
  1. Beat the cream cheese with lemon zest and sugar until smooth, and chill briefly if it softens too much.
Final Fold
  1. On the final fold, gently sprinkle in the blueberries, being careful not to crush them. The dough should show air bubbles and hold shape.
Shape and Fill
  1. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, press into a rectangle, and spread the cream cheese across the center. Fold like a letter, roll into a round boule, and pinch seams tight.
Cold Proofing
  1. Place seam-side up in a floured banneton or towel-lined bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 8–12 hours.
Preheat and Bake
  1. Heat your oven to 250°C (482°F) with a Dutch oven inside, then invert the dough onto parchment, score, and lower into the hot pot. Cover and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake at 220°C (428°F) for another 20–25 minutes until deep golden and hollow-sounding when tapped.
Glaze the Crust
  1. While still warm, brush honey mixed with lemon juice over the loaf for shine and a bright finish.

Notes

For a time-saver, use a warm proofing spot to speed up bulk fermentation. To prevent blueberries from bleeding, fold them in on the last stretch-and-fold. You can also add a teaspoon of vanilla or cardamom for extra flavor.