Cranberry Cream Cheese Soft Bread

By deiv3 on July 21, 2024

Delightful Indulgence: Cranberry Cream Cheese Soft Bread

Our Cranberry Cream Cheese Soft Bread is a delectable treat that combines the tartness of cranberries with the creamy richness of cream cheese, all wrapped up in a soft and fluffy bread. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert, this irresistible bread will have you coming back for slice after slice.

Ingredients:

For the Bread Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
3/4 cup warm milk (110°F/45°C)
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg

For the Filling:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or dried cranberries

For the Glaze (Optional):

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
Add the melted butter, sugar, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
Gradually add the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and roll it out into a large rectangle, about 12×18 inches.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle the cranberries over the cream cheese layer.
Starting from one long edge, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Pinch the seam to seal.
Place the rolled dough seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover it loosely with plastic wrap and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap from the dough and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
If desired, prepare the glaze by mixing together the powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the warm bread.
Allow the bread to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy your Cranberry Cream Cheese Soft Bread warm or at room temperature!

This delightful bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of day. The combination of tangy cranberries and creamy cream cheese makes it a truly irresistible indulgence!