Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf

This Cream Cheese Cranberry Loaf combines tender cake-like texture with bursts of tart cranberries for a delicious balance of flavors. Cream cheese adds richness and moisture to the batter, creating a soft, velvety loaf that stays fresh for days. Finished with a bright orange glaze, this loaf delivers the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and citrusy notes in every slice.

It’s an excellent choice for holiday gatherings, afternoon coffee breaks, brunch tables, or homemade gifting during the festive season.

Ingredients

For the Loaf

Ingredient	Amount
All-purpose flour	1¾ cups
Cream cheese, softened	8 oz
Granulated sugar	1 cup
Unsalted butter, softened	½ cup
Whole milk, room temperature	½ cup
Large eggs, room temperature	2
Baking powder	1 teaspoon
Baking soda	½ teaspoon
Fine sea salt	½ teaspoon
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon

For the Cranberries

Ingredient	Amount
Fresh or frozen cranberries	1½ cups
All-purpose flour	1 tablespoon

For the Orange Glaze

Ingredient	Amount
Powdered sugar, sifted	1 cup
Fresh orange juice	1–2 tablespoons
Orange zest (optional)	¼ teaspoon

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and lightly dust it with flour.

Baking Tip: For easy removal, line the pan with a strip of parchment paper that extends over the long sides of the pan.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Cream Cheese

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and continue mixing until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Milk

Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Gradually add the dry ingredients and milk, alternating between the two and beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until combined.

Step 5: Add the Cranberries

Place the cranberries and 1 tablespoon of flour in a small bowl and toss to coat.

Fold the cranberries gently into the batter until evenly distributed.

Step 6: Bake

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan.

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.

If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely cover it with aluminum foil during the final portion of baking.

Step 7: Cool

Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Transfer it to a wire rack and let it cool completely before glazing.

Step 8: Make the Glaze

Whisk together the powdered sugar, orange juice, and optional orange zest until smooth. Adjust the amount of juice as needed to achieve a pourable consistency.

Drizzle the glaze over the cooled loaf and allow it to set for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. The loaf also makes a wonderful addition to holiday breakfast spreads and dessert tables.

For the cleanest slices, use a serrated knife once the glaze has fully set.