Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf Cake – Sweet Perfection
Introduction
Get ready to make an incredible Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf Cake that everyone will love! This recipe combines simple ingredients with great flavor to create something truly special. Perfect for any occasion, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.
Follow along as we show you how to make this wonderful recipe step by step!
Of course! A Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf Cake is a beautiful and delicious treat, perfect for the holidays or any time of year. It features a moist, tender cake swirled with a rich, tangy cream cheese filling and studded with tart, juicy cranberries.
Here is a detailed recipe to create this irresistible loaf.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf Cake
This cake is a stunning marbled masterpiece. The sweet vanilla cake and tangy cream cheese swirl complement the burst of flavor from the cranberries perfectly.
Yields: 1 standard loaf (9×5 inch)
Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 60-75 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
· 8 oz (225g) block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
· ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
· 1 large egg
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cake Batter
· 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
· 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
· ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
· 2 large eggs, at room temperature
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· ½ cup (120ml) milk (whole or buttermilk preferred)
· 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries (do not thaw if frozen)
· 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing with cranberries)
For the Optional Vanilla Glaze:
· ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
· 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
· ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pan and Oven:
· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
· Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
· In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
· Add the ¼ cup sugar and beat until combined.
· Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
- Make the Cake Batter:
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the 1 ½ cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
· In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and ¾ cup sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
· Beat in the two eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
· With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
· In a small bowl, toss the cranberries with the 1 tablespoon of flour. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. Gently fold the floured cranberries into the cake batter.
- Assemble the Swirl:
· Spread about two-thirds of the cranberry cake batter into the bottom of the prepared loaf pan.
· Pour the entire cream cheese filling over the first layer of batter, spreading it evenly but leaving a small border around the edges.
· Carefully dollop the remaining cake batter over the cream cheese layer. Use a knife or a skewer to gently swirl the layers together. Make a few figure-eight motions to create a marbled effect. Do not over-swirl, or the layers will blend together.
- Bake the Cake:
· Bake for 60 to 75 minutes. The cake is done when the top is golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the cake part (not the cream cheese swirl) comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
· Due to the dense cream cheese layer, the center may still be a little soft, but it should not be wet.
- Cool and Glaze:
· Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes. Then, carefully run a knife around the edges and use the parchment paper to lift it out onto the rack to cool completely.
· This is crucial: The cake must be completely cool before glazing or slicing, as the cream cheese layer needs time to set.
· For the glaze, whisk the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon of milk, and vanilla together. Add more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach a drizzle-able consistency. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
Pro Tips for Success:
· Room Temperature is Key: Having your cream cheese, butter, and eggs at room temperature ensures a smooth, lump-free batter and filling.
· Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Tossing the cranberries in flour is a simple but vital step to stop them from releasing all their juice into the batter.
· The Swirl Secret: Less is more when swirling. A few gentle passes will give you beautiful, distinct layers.
· The Cool Down: Patience is a virtue with this cake. Slicing it warm will result in a gooey mess. Letting it cool completely ensures perfect, clean slices.
Enjoy a slice of this wonderfully balanced, moist, and flavorful loaf cake with a cup of coffee or tea
Conclusion
Congratulations on making this delicious Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf Cake! We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed every bite of this flavorful dish. This recipe is perfect for sharing with family and friends, and we’re confident it will become a regular favorite in your kitchen.
🍽️ Looking for more amazing recipes? Browse through our collection of delicious dishes on YumPost! From quick weeknight dinners to impressive desserts, we have something for every taste and occasion.
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