Toasty Blueberry Tea Bread with Lemon Cream Spread

Leave your cares behind and sit down to an afternoon tea. Perhaps you might even consider hosting a tea in your garden on a sun-dappled afternoon. If so, please serve this perfect recipe. The Lemon Cream Spread compliments the Blueberry Tea Bread perfectly. It's sure to be a wonderful day.


Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh blueberries

Ingredients for Lemon Cream Spread:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions for Blueberry Tea Bread:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 (5-3/4 x 3-1/4 inch) mini loaf pans with nonstick baking spray with flour. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine sugar and butter. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 4 minutes. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt, stirring well. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, combine milk and lemon juice. Let stand for 10 minutes.

5. Add flour mixture to butter mixture, alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans, tapping lightly against the counter to release any air bubbles.

6. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22 to 28 minutes.

7. Let cool in pans for 5 minutes.

8. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut loaves into 1/4-inch thin slices. ( I sliced mine 1/2-inch) If desired, just before serving, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toast each slice in skillet until lightly browned, approximately 1 minute per side. Serve warm with Lemon Cream Spread.

Directions for Lemon Cream Spread:

1. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, zest, juice, and salt, pulsing until mixture is well blended and smooth, approximately 2 minutes. Refrigerate until needed.

Adapted from Tea Time.


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