Description

This Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf is a moist, flavorful treat combining the richness of cream cheese with the fresh sweetness of strawberries. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful dessert, it features a tender crumb, swirls of strawberry jam, and a subtle tang from sour cream or yogurt. The loaf is beautifully finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a garnish of finely chopped fresh strawberries.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt

Fruit and Garnishes

1/2 cup fresh strawberries, chopped (or frozen strawberries)
1/4 cup strawberry jam or preserves
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tbsp fresh strawberries, finely chopped

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a loaf pan by greasing and flouring it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Add Sugar and Eggs: Add the sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture, beating until well combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
Incorporate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the sour cream or yogurt. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the loaf dense.
Add Strawberries and Jam: Gently fold in the chopped fresh strawberries along with the strawberry jam or preserves, taking care not to overmix to maintain a light texture.
Bake the Loaf: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center— it should come out clean when the loaf is ready.
Cool: Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with finely chopped fresh strawberries before serving.

Notes

Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor, but frozen strawberries work well if thawed and drained first.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the loaf tender and fluffy.
You can substitute sour cream with yogurt for a slightly different tang.
Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
Store leftover loaf in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week.
For added texture, sprinkle chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans into the batter.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Category: Baking
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American