Description
This Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread is a delightful, moist quick bread filled with fresh strawberries and creamy cheese. A perfect combination of sweetness and creaminess, this bread makes for a fantastic breakfast, snack, or dessert. With its tender crumb and fruity flavor, it’s a treat that will impress everyone!
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Bread:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
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For the topping (optional):
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
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Prepare the strawberries:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, chop the fresh strawberries into small pieces. Gently pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which can prevent the bread from becoming too soggy.
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Mix dry ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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Cream the butter and cream cheese:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
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Add eggs and vanilla:
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
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Incorporate dry ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
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Fold in the strawberries:
- Gently fold the chopped strawberries into the batter, being careful not to crush them too much.
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Transfer to the pan:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar on top of the batter for a slightly sweet, crispy topping.
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Bake:
- Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the bread is browning too quickly on top, you can cover it loosely with foil and continue baking until fully cooked.
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Cool:
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- If you prefer a more intense strawberry flavor, you can cook down the chopped strawberries in a saucepan over medium heat until they release their juices and become soft, then add them to the batter.
- This bread is very moist, so it’s best served within 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.
- You can add chopped walnuts or other nuts to the batter for some crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg