While pumpkin bread is a classic dessert/breakfast/snack staple during autumn months, there isn’t really an equivalent treat for winter…until now. This loaf is perfectly moist, sweet and tart, and is the perfect thing to make when you’ve got friends or family coming over, or for when you just need a little pick-me-up to start or end your day. Filled with lots of love (*ahem* and cranberries and cream cheese), this loaf is the best was to kick start the morning.

While baking might be at the bottom of your to-do list – if it even makes the list at all – it is totally worth the time and effort (which are both minimal in this case) to make this cranberry cream cheese loaf. It’ll get you into the holiday spirit and it’ll bring your family together, since no one wants to miss out on a slice of this stuff! Eat it by itself, dust it with powdered sugar, top it off with some more cream cheese, whatever works for you – just try it!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

temperature
4 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, room

PREPARATION

1Preheat oven to 350o F and lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.

2Cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl or mixer, then, one at a time, beat in eggs and vanilla.

3In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt until combined. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring until just incorporated.

4Gently fold in cranberries, then pour mixture into greased baking dish. (Could also use 2 loaf pans, if desired.)

5Place in oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 6Remove from oven and let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!