Description
A delicious and moist Cherry Cream Cheese Loaf combining fresh cherries with creamy cream cheese, a hint of almond and vanilla extracts, baked to perfection. This sweet bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1 1/2 cups fresh cherries
Dairy and Eggs
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Extracts
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pans. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and grease two 8.5×4.5-inch bread loaf pans to prevent sticking.
- Prepare cherries. Pit the fresh cherries and roughly chop them into quarters. Set aside for folding into the batter later.
- Cream the fats and sugar. In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and room temperature butter until smooth and creamy. Add granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then beat the mixture until light and airy to create a fluffy batter base.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients. Slowly add the dry flour mixture and milk alternately into the creamed wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to form the batter.
- Fold in cherries. Carefully fold the chopped cherries into the batter, ensuring even distribution without overmixing to keep the cherries intact.
- Fill pans and bake. Divide the batter equally between the prepared loaf pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes. To prevent over-browning, cover the loaves loosely with foil after 35 to 40 minutes of baking.
- Cool before slicing. Once baked, remove the loaves from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pans before slicing to ensure clean slices and proper texture.
Notes
- Using fresh cherries adds a natural sweetness and texture, but frozen cherries can be substituted if fresh are not available—just thaw and drain excess liquid.
- Covering the loaf with foil midway prevents the top from burning while allowing the inside to cook thoroughly.
- Room temperature butter and cream cheese ensure a smooth batter and better incorporation of ingredients.
- You can add a sprinkle of sliced almonds on top before baking for extra texture and flavor.
- Store the loaves wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of a loaf approx.)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
