Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
3. Make the Bread Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Stir in the sour cream and milk until well combined. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined (be careful not to overmix).
4. Layer the Bread
Pour half of the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter, then top with the remaining bread batter, spreading it gently to cover the cream cheese layer.
5. Bake
Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil during the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Prepare the Caramel Sauce
While the bread cools, make the caramel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar, heavy cream, and a pinch of salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until the sauce thickens slightly.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the sauce cool slightly before drizzling it over the cooled bread.
7. Slice and Serve
Once the bread is fully cooled, drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top. Slice and serve!
Tips & Variations
- Add Nuts: For extra texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the caramel sauce.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add a swirl of melted chocolate to the cream cheese filling for a chocolatey twist.
- Storage: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slices in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.