Orange Cream Cheese Loaf

Cream cheese loaf is a delightful baked good that combines the tangy richness of cream cheese with the bright, refreshing taste of orange. This versatile loaf can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, a dessert, or a snack with a cup of tea. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the ins and outs of making a perfect cream cheese loaf, including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for achieving the best results.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Stir in the orange zest and set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, until smooth and creamy.
5. Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the orange juice, and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Prepare Cream Cheese Swirl: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
7. Layer Batter and Cream Cheese: Pour half of the orange batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spoon dollops of the cream cheese mixture on top of the batter. Gently swirl the cream cheese into the batter using a knife or skewer. Pour the remaining orange batter over the cream cheese layer.
8. Bake: Transfer the loaf pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Cool and Serve: Remove the loaf from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve and enjoy!