Description
Creamy cranberry cream cheese bread offers a delightful fusion of tangy berries and rich cheese. Bakers will savor each moist slice, finding comfort in this simple yet elegant quick bread perfect for morning treats or afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups (200g) fresh or frozen cranberries
- 8 ounces (227g) cream cheese, softened
- 0.5 cup (114g) butter, softened
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 0.33 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
Glaze Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare baking equipment by coating two 8×5-inch bread pans with nonstick spray. Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter, cream cheese, and sugar at high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest, and milk into the creamed mixture, blending until smooth and uniform.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients using low-speed mixing, stopping when just combined to prevent overmixing.
- Carefully fold fresh cranberries into the batter, distributing evenly throughout the mixture.
- Evenly distribute batter between prepared bread pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
- Allow loaves to cool completely in pans, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and vanilla until achieving a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Drizzle glaze elegantly over cooled bread loaves, allowing it to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Swap flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor without changing the bread’s texture.
- Reduce sugar by using natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit for a lower-calorie version that maintains delicious taste.
- Freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic for quick breakfast or snack options that stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 267
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 151mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 54mg