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Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf
Introduction
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf is a delightfully soft, tender quick bread loaded with juicy strawberries and enriched with cream cheese for a luxurious texture. It walks the line between cake and bread—perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or an elegant dessert. With its subtle tang, sweet berry pockets, and melt-in-your-mouth crumb, it’s a loaf that’s as lovely to look at as it is to eat.
Origin and Cultural Significance
Quick breads like this loaf emerged in American kitchens in the 18th and 19th centuries, offering a fast alternative to yeasted breads. Incorporating fruit into baked goods has roots in European tea cakes and coffee cakes, where fresh or preserved fruits were folded into soft batters for festive and everyday occasions. Strawberries, symbolic of spring and love, are widely celebrated in desserts, especially in North American and British cuisine. The use of cream cheese, a distinctly American innovation, adds richness and ties this loaf to the tradition of dense, moist baked treats like pound cake and cheesecake.
Ingredients Quantity
For the Loaf:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped and patted dry
- 1 tbsp flour (for coating the strawberries)
Note: Drying and lightly flouring the strawberries prevents them from sinking during baking.
Optional Additions
- Lemon zest (1 tsp) – for brightness
- Almond extract (¼ tsp) – enhances the berry flavor
- Chopped nuts (¼ cup) – such as pecans or walnuts for crunch
- Powdered sugar glaze or cream cheese drizzle – for a sweet finish
- Swap in blueberries or raspberries for variation
Tips for Success
- Bring all ingredients to room temperature for even mixing.
- Don’t overmix the batter once flour is added—this keeps the crumb tender.
- Flour the strawberries to keep them suspended throughout the loaf.
- Check doneness with a toothpick—insert into the center and it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Add sugar and beat until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Alternate Mixing Dry and Wet
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined.
Step 6: Prepare Strawberries and Fold In
Toss chopped strawberries in 1 tbsp flour. Gently fold them into the batter with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Description
This loaf is golden on the outside and ultra-moist on the inside, with pockets of juicy strawberries and a faint tang from the cream cheese. The crumb is soft and buttery, with a richness that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. It’s a charming, sliceable treat that suits everything from brunches to bake sales.
Nutritional Information (Estimated per slice, based on 10 slices)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Calcium: 6% DV
- Iron: 8% DV
- Vitamin C (from strawberries): 20% DV
Conclusion
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf brings together the freshness of strawberries and the richness of cream cheese in a beautifully balanced treat. Easy to make yet impressive in flavor and presentation, it’s a delightful bake for all occasions.
Recommendation
Enjoy a slice on its own or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. Store leftovers wrapped at room temperature for 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5. It also freezes well—wrap tightly and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Embracing Healthful Indulgence
This loaf can be easily adapted for more mindful eating. Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese, reduce sugar slightly, or swap part of the flour with whole wheat pastry flour. The strawberries provide antioxidants and vitamin C, making this an indulgent-yet-nourishing choice for a sweet tooth with a wellness mindset.
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