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Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 127 reviews

This Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is a moist and tender quick bread featuring a rich combination of cream cheese and fresh cranberries. Perfectly balanced with a smooth glaze on top, this loaf offers a delightful sweet and tangy flavor, ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a delicious snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp flour (for tossing cranberries)

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120ml) milk

Fruits & Toppings

  • 1 ½ cups (150g) fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 1–2 tbsp milk or orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later use.
  3. Cream Butter & Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This ensures a creamy texture in the final loaf.
  4. Add Sugar: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, beating until light and creamy to incorporate air for tenderness.
  5. Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to ensure even incorporation, then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
  6. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Mix gently after each addition until just combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the loaf tender.
  7. Add Cranberries: Toss the cranberries with 1 tablespoon of flour to prevent them from sinking in the batter. Carefully fold the cranberries into the batter to evenly distribute without breaking them.
  8. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top for even baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature before glazing.
  10. Add Glaze (Optional): Whisk together powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or orange juice until smooth. Drizzle this glaze over the cooled loaf and let it set before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh or frozen cranberries based on availability; if using frozen, do not thaw to prevent color bleeding.
  • Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to maintain a soft crumb.
  • The glaze is optional but adds a nice sweet and tangy finish.
  • For extra flavor, orange zest can be added to the batter or glaze.
  • Ensure eggs and dairy are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.

Keywords: Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf, Quick Bread, Cranberry Bread, Cream Cheese Loaf, Holiday Bread, Festive Loaf

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/cream-cheese-cranberry-loaf-recipe/