Ever bite into a slice of bread so perfectly soft and citrusy that it instantly lifts your mood? That’s exactly what happened the first time I made this lemon blueberry bread in my bread machine.
I’d been looking for a sweet, bakery-style loaf that didn’t require a ton of work—and this was it. The tart lemon zest, creamy base, and bursts of juicy blueberry transformed what I expected to be just another loaf into something we now make weekly.
Why This Bread Machine Recipe Stands Out
When it comes to easy bread machine recipes, this lemon blueberry bread is in a league of its own. It strikes that perfect balance between tart and sweet, giving you a slice that feels indulgent but is simple enough to make on a weekday.
Here’s why it works so well:
- Uses dried blueberries, which are easy to store and mix in
- Buttermilk and sour cream create a tender, almost cake-like texture
- A great way to use up citrus and pantry staples
- Perfect for both 1½-pound and 2-pound bread machine settings
- Kid-approved and ideal for breakfast, snacks, or even brunch spreads
Perfect for Brunch, Meal Prep, or Gifting
This isn’t just another homemade loaf—it’s the kind you proudly wrap in parchment and bring to a friend’s house.
Or slice up for an easy weekday breakfast. It holds its shape beautifully, making it ideal for toasting, meal prep, or layering with toppings.
Some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Warmed with salted butter and a touch of honey
- Topped with ricotta, lemon zest, and a few extra berries
- Layered with cream cheese and tucked into a lunchbox
- Lightly toasted and served alongside tea for an afternoon treat
It’s also freezer-friendly, meaning you can bake one loaf for now and stash one away for later.
Lemon and Blueberry: A Bright Flavor Combo That Pops
There’s just something irresistible about the combination of lemon and blueberry. The citrus cuts through the sweetness, keeping the loaf bright and fresh, while the blueberries add pops of chewy, fruity goodness in every bite.
Pro tip: dried blueberries are the secret weapon here. They rehydrate just enough during baking to mimic fresh berries without bleeding into the dough. If your bread machine beeps for mix-ins, that’s your cue to toss them in for an even distribution.
Easy Customizations to Fit Any Diet
This recipe is surprisingly flexible and can be tweaked to fit various dietary needs without losing its charm:
- Gluten-free? Use a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-free? Sub in coconut yogurt and almond milk with a dash of lemon juice.
- Low-sugar? Halve the sugar or use a monk fruit sweetener blend.
- Add protein? Swap a portion of the flour with almond flour and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
And if you want a more dessert-style loaf, try mixing in white chocolate chips or a swirl of lemon curd before baking.
Tips to Get the Most out of Your Bread Machine
Whether you’re new to using a bread maker or just want more consistent results, here are a few tips specific to this bread machine recipe:
- Use the Sweet setting: This keeps the crust light and prevents over-browning.
- Check your dough texture early: It should be soft and smooth—not sticky or dry.
- Don’t skip the mix-in beep: Adding the blueberries at the right time keeps them whole and evenly spread.
- Cool completely before slicing: This helps the crumb set and prevents it from getting gummy.
Lemon blueberry bread isn’t just another loaf—it’s the one that makes your kitchen smell amazing, turns toast into a treat, and gets people asking for the recipe every time.
Lemon Blueberry Bread Machine Recipe
Equipment
- Bread machine with sweet program
- 1½- to 2-pound loaf capacity pan
Ingredients
Basic Version – 1½-Pound Loaf:
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp butter softened and cut into pieces
- 3 cups bread flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- 2½ tsp yeast
Mix-ins:
- ½ cup dried blueberries
Larger Version – 2-Pound Loaf:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1½ tbsp lemon juice
- 1½ tsp lemon zest
- 5 tbsp butter softened and cut into pieces
- 4 cups bread flour
- 6 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tsp yeast
Mix-ins:
- ¾ cup dried blueberries
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except the blueberries into your bread machine’s pan in the listed order, beginning with sour cream and ending with yeast.
- Select the Sweet program on your bread machine.
- Choose the correct loaf size setting (1½ or 2-pound) and press start.
- If your machine beeps for mix-ins, add the dried blueberries at that point. If not, manually add them during the second kneading cycle.
- Once baking is complete, transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Dough may look soft while mixing but will bake up fluffy and light.
- Avoid using fresh blueberries as they’ll be crushed during kneading.
- Dried blueberries rehydrate while baking for juicy pockets of flavor.
- Sweet program helps prevent the crust from overbaking—use the lightest crust setting if substituting a basic program.
Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.