Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and canola oil until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Mix the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
Cream Cheese Swirl: In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth.
Assemble: Pour half of the batter into the loaf pan, swirl in half of the cream cheese mixture. Repeat with the remaining batter and cream cheese.
Bake: Bake for 65-70 minutes. Cover with foil if the top starts to brown too quickly.
Cool: Let the bread cool completely before slicing to set the cream cheese.