The Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is a beautiful creation that combines the tangy vitality of cranberries with the rich, creamy richness of cream cheese. The result is a delightful concoction that is sure to please. This dish is a crowd-pleaser, making it ideal for the holiday season as well as any other event that calls for a hint of sweetness and an explosion of flavor from the fruits. The combination of cream cheese and cranberries yields a luscious and soft loaf that is a living monument to the alchemy that takes place when the two ingredients are brought together.
The process of making this mouthwatering delight is an adventure into the realm of combining different tastes and textures. Not only does the cream cheese, with its velvety richness, add to the loaf’s enticing moistness, but it also gives the loaf a faint tang that complements its overall flavor. The tangy, vibrant flavors of the cranberries explode in your mouth with each mouthful, providing a delicious contrast to the smooth texture of the cheesecake. Each slice is the perfect combination of creamy, fruity, and decadent thanks to the loaf’s understated sweetness, which links everything together into a cohesive whole.
THE INGREDIENTS LIST:
For the loaf:
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened.
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened.
- 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar.
- 2 large eggs.
- 2 tsp of vanilla extract.
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
- 1 1/2 tsp of baking powder.
- 1/2 tsp of baking soda.
- 1/2 tsp of salt.
- 1/2 cup of whole milk.
- 1 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped.
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
- 1 tbsp of milk.
PREPARATION:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and frothy to create the filling.
Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to thoroughly mix after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the milk to the butter mixture, alternating with the flour mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
Step 6: Gently fold in the chopped cranberries, then pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and level the top.
Step 7: Bake for approximately 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Step 8: After ten minutes, remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 9: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Once the loaf has cooled to room temperature, drizzle the glaze on top.
