Description
This Strawberry Cream Cheese Loaf is a moist and delicious quick bread featuring fresh strawberries folded into a tender batter with a luscious cream cheese layer in the middle. Topped with a light crunchy sugar sprinkle, this loaf combines sweet berries and creamy cheese in every bite, perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients & Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 1 ¼ cups fresh strawberries, diced
Cream Cheese Layer
- 6 oz (170 g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 2 tbsp coarse sugar (optional, for light crunch)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in strawberries: Gently fold the diced fresh strawberries into the batter using a spatula, taking care not to crush them.
- Prepare cream cheese layer: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the loaf: Pour half of the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the batter layer. Pour the remaining batter on top and gently smooth the surface. If desired, sprinkle the coarse sugar over the top for a light crunchy finish.
- Bake: Bake the loaf in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake portion (not the cream cheese layer) comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Cool before slicing: Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor; frozen strawberries may make the batter too watery.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to easily blend with other ingredients without lumps.
- If you want a less sweet loaf, reduce sugar slightly in the batter or cream cheese layer.
- Line the loaf pan with parchment for easy removal and clean edges.
- Check the loaf near the end of baking to avoid overcooking and drying out the bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Strawberry loaf, cream cheese loaf, quick bread, strawberry dessert, baked strawberry bread
