Cherry Cream Cheese Loaf

Introduction

This Cherry Cream Cheese Loaf is a delightful combination of sweet cherries and creamy, tangy cream cheese wrapped in a soft, moist loaf. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with tea or coffee, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to make. The swirls of cream cheese through the loaf give each slice a decadent, velvety texture that pairs beautifully with the tart-sweet cherries.

Ingredients

For the loaf:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1 cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen, chopped if large)

For the cream cheese swirl:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg until smooth. Set aside.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
4. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla.
5. Add flour mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in cherries gently.
6. Pour half of the cherry batter into the prepared pan. Spread cream cheese mixture over it, leaving a small border around edges. Top with remaining batter and gently swirl with a knife.
7. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cover with foil if top browns too quickly.
8. Let loaf cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Description

This loaf is tender, moist, and beautifully marbled with a creamy layer of sweetened cream cheese. The cherries add pops of juicy sweetness and a slightly tart contrast that balances perfectly with the richness of the cream cheese. Its inviting aroma makes it irresistible, and the texture is soft with a slight crunch on the crust edges.

Enjoy

Slice thick, serve slightly warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the sweet, creamy, fruity goodness in every bite! Pair it with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk for a perfect treat.