The Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is a delightful fusion of rich cream cheese and tangy cranberries, encased in a moist, tender crumb. Perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or as a special treat with your afternoon tea, this loaf combines festive flavors that are sure to impress.
Ingredients:
For the Batter:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softenedMargin Making Mom®
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 4 oz cream cheese, softenedMy Mini Chefs+1Life with Jeviko+1
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour12 Tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powderMy Mini Chefs+2Margin Making Mom®+2Life with Jeviko+2
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
- Prepare the Oven and Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan lightly.
- Prepare the Cranberries:
- If using fresh cranberries, rinse and pat them dry.
- For dried cranberries, consider soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes to plump them up; drain before adding to the batter.
- Prepare the Batter:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.12 Tomatoes
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Mix in the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder.Margin Making Mom®
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter-sugar-egg mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined after each addition; avoid overmixing.
- Fold in Cranberries and Lemon Zest:
- Gently fold the cranberries and lemon zest into the batter using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
- Bake the Loaf:
- Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan, spreading it out evenly.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- If the top of the loaf starts to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Afterward, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Enjoy Your Homemade Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf!
This loaf pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee and makes for a delightful gift during the holiday season. Its combination of creamy texture and fruity bursts is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire