Ina Garten’s Tangy Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

Cranberry cream cheese bread transforms ordinary baking into a delightful culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds with its soft, tender crumb and burst of vibrant flavors.

Sweet and tart ingredients dance together in perfect harmony, creating a memorable treat that feels like a warm hug from the kitchen.

Rich dairy components provide a luxurious texture that melts in your mouth, while bright fruit elements add unexpected complexity.

Seasonal baking reaches new heights with this delectable creation that balances sweetness and tanginess in every slice.

Home bakers can elevate their skills by mastering this seemingly simple yet sophisticated recipe that impresses family and friends alike.

Bold flavors and delicate textures combine to produce a memorable breakfast or afternoon snack that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Prepare to fall in love with a bread so delicious, you’ll want to share it with everyone: come hungry and leave inspired.

Why Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread Is a Holiday Hit

• Burst with Festive Flavor: This cranberry cream cheese bread delivers a delightful holiday-inspired taste that combines tangy cranberries with rich, creamy undertones, making every bite a celebration of seasonal goodness.
• Create Bakery-Quality Texture: The recipe produces an incredibly moist and tender bread with a perfect crumb, thanks to the carefully balanced mixture of butter, cream cheese, and carefully incorporated ingredients that guarantee a professional-level result at home.
• Effortless Baking Adventure: With simple step-by-step instructions and minimal complicated techniques, this recipe welcomes home bakers of all skill levels to create an impressive and delicious bread that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Perfect for holiday gatherings, breakfast spreads, afternoon tea, or casual snacking, this bread offers a delectable option that works beautifully as a sweet indulgence for multiple occasions and serves as an excellent homemade gift.

Ingredient List for Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

• Butter: Soft, rich base for moistness and flavor, choose high-quality unsalted butter.
• Cream Cheese: Provides creamy texture and tangy depth, room temperature for smooth mixing.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create tender crumb, white granulated works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor, pure vanilla recommended over artificial.

• Eggs: Provide structure and help bind ingredients, use large, fresh eggs at room temperature.

• All-Purpose Flour: Fundamental structure for bread, unbleached flour preferred for better texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps bread rise and become light, check freshness for best results.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor, fine sea salt recommended.

• Cranberries, Pecans: Add texture, tartness, and nutty crunch, fresh or dried cranberries work well, optional pecans provide extra richness.

Helpful Tips for Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

• Warm Ingredients for Smooth Mixing: Bring butter, cream cheese, and eggs to room temperature to ensure a velvety, well-blended batter that mixes effortlessly.
• Chop Cranberries for Even Flavor: Slice cranberries into smaller pieces to distribute their tangy burst throughout every slice of the bread.
• Gentle Flour Folding Technique: Mix flour just until combined, stopping as soon as no dry streaks remain to keep the bread tender and light.
• Precision Baking Doneness Test: Insert a toothpick into the bread's center around 45 minutes of baking. A clean toothpick signals perfectly cooked bread.
• Patient Cooling for Structural Integrity: Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes after baking, helping it set and preventing crumbling when removed.

Best Way to Store Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

• Freezer Preservation: Slice the bread before freezing to enable easy portioning and quick thawing. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal texture. Frozen bread stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Countertop Storage: Keep the bread at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, protecting it from air and moisture. Place a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess humidity and prevent sogginess. Ensure the container is clean and completely dry before storing.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Transfer the bread to an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent drying out. Store in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf, away from temperature fluctuations.

Twists on Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

• Berry Burst Bread: Replace cranberries with a mixed berry combination including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries for a vibrant and colorful bread experience.
• Citrus Zest Edition: Add orange or lemon zest to the batter and incorporate white chocolate chips for a bright, tangy flavor profile that complements the cream cheese base.
• Nutty Harvest Loaf: Swap pecans for toasted walnuts or almonds and mix in warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to create a cozy, autumnal-inspired bread version.
• Chocolate Marble dish: Swirl in melted dark chocolate through the cream cheese batter to create a rich, marbled effect with a decadent chocolate undertone.

Wrapping Up Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

Ina Garten’s cranberry cream cheese bread whispers comfort through its delicate crumb and tangy fruit nuances.

Culinary memories bloom with each slice of this sophisticated quick bread.

Home bakers discover pure magic when classic ingredients merge into something extraordinary.

Seasonal cranberries dance alongside rich cream cheese, creating multilayered flavor profiles.

Breakfast tables and afternoon tea settings welcome this luxurious dish with open arms.

Gorgeous baking awaits – share this recipe, spark conversations, inspire fellow kitchen adventurers, and spread delicious joy with friends and family.

How to Make Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Adjust the oven rack to the center position and set temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Cream Butter And Cheese

In a large mixing bowl, whip softened butter and cream cheese until silky and uniform in texture.

Step 3: Sweeten The Base

• Sugar
• Vanilla extract

Beat the mixture until it becomes light, airy, and fluffy.

Step 4: Introduce Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, thoroughly mixing after each addition to create a smooth consistency.

Step 5: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Step 6: Combine Wet And Dry Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 7: Add Fruity Crunch

• Chopped fresh cranberries
• Chopped pecans (optional)

Step 8: Prepare Baking Vessels

Generously grease two 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pans with butter or cooking spray.

Step 9: Fill And Bake

Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes.

Step 10: Test And Cool

Insert a toothpick into bread’s center. If it comes out clean, remove from oven. Let bread rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Ina Garten Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s cranberry cream cheese bread delivers a perfect balance of tangy sweetness and rich, tender crumb. Homemade comfort shines through each slice, promising a delightful breakfast or afternoon treat you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups (473 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (473 ml) cranberries, fresh or frozen, roughly chopped

Dairy and Fat:

• 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
• 8 ounces (227 grams) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups (354 ml) sugar

Seasoning and Extras:

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup (118 ml) chopped pecans (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a precise 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heat distribution.
2. Utilize a spacious mixing bowl to thoroughly cream the softened butter and cream cheese, whipping until the texture becomes silky and uniform.
3. Incrementally introduce granulated sugar and pure vanilla extract into the creamy base, continuing to blend until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency.
4. Gently incorporate whole eggs into the mixture, introducing them one at a time and thoroughly integrating each before adding the next.
5. In a separate pristine bowl, carefully sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and kosher salt, eliminating any potential lumps.
6. Delicately fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring with minimal manipulation to prevent overworking the batter.
7. Gently introduce chopped fresh cranberries and roughly chopped pecans, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture with a soft folding motion.
8. Prepare two standard 9-inch by 5-inch (23 centimeters by 13 centimeters) loaf pans by generously coating with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
9. Evenly distribute the batter between the prepared pans, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure uniform baking.
10. Position the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 65 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without any raw batter clinging to it.
11. Remove from the oven and allow the loaves to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, enabling them to set and cool slightly.
12. Carefully transfer the loaves to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Notes

• Warm Ingredients Smoothly: Room temperature butter, cream cheese, and eggs blend effortlessly, creating a velvety soft bread texture that melts in your mouth.
• Chop Cranberries Strategically: Smaller cranberry pieces distribute their tangy burst more evenly throughout the bread, ensuring every slice gets a delightful fruity punch.
• Gentle Flour Mixing: Stir flour just until combined to keep the bread tender and light, avoiding tough or dense results that can ruin the delicate crumb.
• Precise Doneness Checking: Test bread’s readiness around 45 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center – a clean pick means perfectly baked goodness is ready to enjoy.
• Patient Cooling Process: Letting the bread rest in the pan for 10 minutes stabilizes its structure, preventing crumbling and ensuring clean, beautiful slices that hold together beautifully.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 28 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg