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Slice of moist Cream Cheese Cranberry Bread showcasing cranberries and cream cheese swirl.

Cream Cheese Cranberry Bread

A rich and tender loaf of bread with creamy pockets of cream cheese and bursts of tangy cranberries, perfect for a cozy coffee treat.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off.
  • 1 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 pinch Salt Do not skip the salt for flavor.
  • 0.75 cups Sugar To sweeten the bread.
Wet Ingredients
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 0.5 cups Milk or buttermilk Buttermilk adds tang and tenderness.
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract For flavor.
  • 0.5 cups Melted butter or neutral oil
Cream Cheese Mixture and Cranberries
  • 8 oz Cream cheese (softened) Let it soften first for best results.
  • 1 cup Cranberries (fresh or dried) Soak dried cranberries in hot water for plumpness.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven and grease your loaf pan. Optionally, line with parchment paper for easy lifting.
  2. In one bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, milk, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla.
  4. Combine the dry ingredients into the wet, stirring just until no large flour patches remain. Avoid overmixing.
  5. In a small bowl, blend softened cream cheese with a little sugar and a splash of vanilla.
  6. Pour half the batter into the prepared pan, add spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture, sprinkle cranberries, and then repeat. Use a knife to swirl gently.
Baking
  1. Bake until the center tests done, around 60 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
Serving
  1. Cool the bread for at least 20 to 30 minutes before slicing to avoid a gummy texture.

Notes

To keep the bread moist, store it wrapped well. Refrigerate when warm and bring to room temperature before serving.