Description
Homemade cranberry-pecan cream cheese bread brings warm comfort to winter mornings with its delightful blend of tangy berries and crunchy nuts. Rich cream cheese creates a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth, making this bread perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 8 oz cream cheese
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry and Flavor Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and well-blended.
- Whisk in sugar, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Separately sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a consistent batter without overmixing.
- Carefully fold in chopped pecans and fresh cranberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
- Remove from oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice and serve the cranberry-pecan cream cheese bread, enjoying the rich, moist texture and burst of fruity, nutty flavors.
Notes
- Prevent cranberries and pecans from sinking by tossing them lightly in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the bread.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurement and mixing technique.
- To enhance moisture and richness, consider adding a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or sour cream to the wet ingredients, creating an extra tender crumb.
- Extend the bread’s freshness by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg