This Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is soft, moist, and beautifully balanced between sweet and tangy. Juicy cranberries add bright pops of flavor while a rich cream cheese layer melts into the loaf, creating a tender, bakery-style crumb in every slice. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, holidays, or a cozy afternoon treat with coffee or tea.
Elegant enough to impress yet simple to make, this loaf is a reliable favorite you’ll come back to again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Loaf
- Ultra-moist and tender texture
- Creamy cream cheese swirl throughout
- Tart cranberries for perfect balance
- Ideal for holidays and gifting
- Freezer-friendly
Ingredients
For the Loaf Batter
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup milk or yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (chopped if large)
- 1 tbsp flour (to coat cranberries)
For the Cream Cheese Layer
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
How to Make Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf
1. Preheat
Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer
Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla. Mix until creamy and set aside.
3. Prepare the Batter
Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add milk and vanilla.
Gradually fold in dry ingredients just until combined. Toss cranberries with 1 tbsp flour and gently fold into the batter.
4. Assemble
Pour half the batter into the loaf pan. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on top. Add remaining batter and gently swirl if desired.
5. Bake
Bake for 50–60 minutes, covering loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly. A toothpick inserted into the cake (not the cream cheese layer) should come out mostly clean.
6. Cool & Slice
Let loaf cool in pan 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Best Results
- Use room-temperature ingredients
- Coat cranberries to prevent sinking
- Let loaf cool fully for clean slices
- Add orange zest for extra flavor
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 5 days
- Freeze slices up to 2 months
Final Thought
This Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf is rich, tangy, and perfectly comforting. With its soft crumb and creamy center, it’s a loaf that feels special enough for celebrations yet easy enough for everyday baking.