The air is filled with the inviting aroma of baked goods, hinting at warmth and sweet indulgence. Imagine pulling from your oven a golden loaf of Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home. Each slice is a tender delight, bursting with tart cranberries and creamy goodness, making it hard to resist just one piece. As the steam escapes, the contrast of the rich cream cheese and the tart berries brings a smile to my face, reminding me of holiday mornings spent with family. This bread has become a staple in my home, and I’m thrilled to share this recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or a cozy afternoon snack.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home

Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home

If there’s one thing that brings joy during the festive season, it’s sharing a delicious homemade treat. With its bright cranberry bursts and creamy textures, this bread stands out, whether for a holiday gathering or a simple Sunday brunch. I can’t help but feel giddy as I think about all the happy moments this loaf can create. So, grab your mixing bowl and let’s bake this incredible loaf that’s sure to impress your loved ones!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in about 1 hour and 20 minutes, including prep and bake time.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of sweet cream cheese and tart cranberries creates a flavor explosion in every bite.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Its beautiful golden crust with pops of bright red cranberries makes it a stunning centerpiece on any table.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack – it fits any occasion!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable if you want to swap ingredients for gluten-free or dairy-free versions.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): This adds a rich, creamy flavor to the bread. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
Cream Cheese (4 oz, softened): Keeps the bread ultra-tender and adds a delightful richness. Use full-fat for the best texture.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the bread perfectly and creates a lovely golden crust.
Large Eggs (2): Provides structure and moisture. Ensure they are at room temperature for better incorporation into the batter.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor of the bread. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for its superior taste.
All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The foundation of the bread. Make sure to spoon and level your measuring cup for accuracy.
Baking Powder (2 tsp): Works with baking soda to help the bread rise and create a soft texture.
Baking Soda (1/2 tsp): Aids in the bread’s rise and balances acidity from the cranberries.
Salt (1/2 tsp): Enhances all the flavors in the bread and brings out the sweetness.
Milk or Buttermilk (1/2 cup): Adds moisture. Buttermilk gives an extra tender crumb, but regular milk will do just fine.
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries (1 1/2 cups): These provide bursts of tart flavor. If using frozen cranberries, there’s no need to thaw them.

How to Make Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home

Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal. This ensures a perfect bake and helps achieve that lovely, golden crust we all crave.

Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This creaming method incorporates air, creating a light texture in your bread. Next, add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for an added layer of deliciousness.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients together first helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents throughout the flour, ensuring a consistent rise in your loaf.

Mix Together Gently: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a denser loaf, so be gentle here. The batter will be thick but oh-so-silky and inviting!

Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the fresh or frozen cranberries into the batter, being cautious not to break them apart. The juiciness of the berries is what will make each slice a delightful surprise! Spread the batter evenly in the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top for an even bake.

Bake to Perfection: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with foil during the last fifteen minutes of baking. The aroma will be heavenly – you won’t be able to resist!

Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is crucial as it helps set the crumb, ensuring each slice is perfectly tender and delicious!

Storing & Reheating

To store your Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to a week. You can also freeze the bread for up to 3 months; just slice it first for convenient thawing. When ready to enjoy, reheat slices in a toaster or oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, reviving that fresh-baked feel. Expect the texture to soften, reminiscent of the day it was made.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Mix your ingredients gently to avoid a heavy texture; the less you handle the batter, the better!
Use room temperature eggs and butter to ensure they blend smoothly without lumps.
For sweeter cranberries, consider tossing the fresh berries in a bit of flour before adding them to the batter. This helps suspend them evenly throughout the loaf.
If your bread is rising too slowly, check that your baking powder and soda are fresh, as expired leavening agents can lead to a dense loaf.
Experiment with add-ins like white chocolate chips or nuts for an extra layer of flavor and texture!

Finally, don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own. Maybe you’ll choose to swap some cranberries for blueberries or even add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm, spicy flavor. The possibilities are endless, and this bread is incredibly forgiving!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen cranberries instead of fresh?

Absolutely! You can use frozen cranberries directly from the bag without thawing them. They will soften during baking and provide that lovely tartness you’re looking for. Just be aware that they might add a slight chill to your batter, so you may need to bake a minute or two longer.

What can I do if my cream cheese is lumpy?

To ensure a smooth batter, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before you start mixing. If you still find lumps, you can beat it separately until smooth before adding the other ingredients. This will help achieve that nice, creamy texture.

Can I make this bread ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the bread a day or two in advance. Let it cool completely and store it wrapped in plastic wrap on the counter. If you’d like to prepare the batter ahead of time, it can also be refrigerated for up to 24 hours, then baked fresh when you’re ready.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

The best way to check is by inserting a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but no batter). The top of the bread should also feel firm and spring back slightly when pressed. If it’s still wet, give it a few more minutes in the oven, checking it frequently.

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Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread You Can Make at Home

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Author: Jennifer
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 65 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Category: Bread
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Bakery-Style Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread features a tender loaf packed with tart cranberries and rich cream cheese. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, it’s a delightful addition to any table.

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened)
Cream Cheese (4 oz, softened)
Granulated Sugar (1 cup)
Large Eggs (2)
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
All-Purpose Flour (2 cups)
Baking Powder (2 tsp)
Baking Soda (1/2 tsp)
Salt (1/2 tsp)
Milk or Buttermilk (1/2 cup)
Fresh or Frozen Cranberries (1 1/2 cups)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a loaf pan.
Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt) in a separate bowl.
Combine wet and dry ingredients alternately with milk until just mixed.
Fold in cranberries gently and spread batter into pan.
Bake for 55-65 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better mixing.
For sweeter cranberries, toss them in flour before adding to batter.
If using frozen cranberries, no need to thaw.