Orange Cream Cheese Bread Recipe

Once upon a time with less hormones, food sounded really good to me. And when it did, I stumbled upon this quick bread recipe. The site I got the recipe from has a faulty link now, so I'll share the recipe with you below.

This was another simple, easy bread to make, and had a really great, smooth texture. I think the cream cheese had a part in that. I also liked that it soaked in the orange juice after baking. The only part I needed to change was to add a bit of icing on top- the bread itself wasn't orange-y enough for my liking, so I mixed up a little glaze of powdered sugar, orange juice, and a little bit of vanilla, and drizzled that over the bread once it was cool. It gave it the kick I felt it was missing.

I made this a month ago when a friend had a baby (hence the "congrats" on the tag above), and gave one loaf to her, keeping the other for us. Once I'm back to eating normally, I can't wait to make this one again.

P.S. If you're in a particularly autumn kind of mood, you must try my mama's pumpkin bread recipe!

Orange Cream Cheese Loaf

Ingredients:
1 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 c shortening

1 2/3 c granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 1/4 c all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 c milk

1/2 c chopped walnuts

2 Tbsp orange zest

1/4 c orange juice

Directions:

1. Combine cream cheese and shortening, creaming well.

2. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.

3. Add eggs, beating well after each addition.

4. Combine flour, baking powder and salt;  add to creamed mixture alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.  Mix well after each addition.

5. Stir in walnuts and orange peel.

6. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured loaf pans.

7. Bake at 375 F for 55 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.

8. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Then sprinkle orange juice over loaves.  Remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

9. (Optional) Make simple glaze of powdered sugar dissolved in small amount of orange juice, adding vanilla extract to taste. Drizzle lightly over cooled loaves, or drizzle over slice when served.