Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread

Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread is a quick bread-cake hybrid that features sweet strawberries and a cream cheese swirl!

I love the versatility of quick breads, and this strawberry bread is one of my favorites. With sweet strawberries, a little cream cheese, plus some oats and brown sugar, this bread offers fantastic flavor and a cake-like texture. It’s such a special treat for breakfast or brunch, or even just for a sweet snack. And it’s just as good for a simple dessert. A must-bake for strawberry season!

Want more strawberry recipes? Try my Brown Butter Strawberry Muffins, Strawberry Cobbler, and Strawberry Cupcakes next!

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Bread Recipe

• Flavorful. With sweet strawberries, chewy oats, and a swirl of cream cheese, this bread has irresistible flavor.
• Easy to make. Even with the added cream cheese swirl, there’s nothing complicated here. You’ll have your bread mixed and in the oven in short order.
• Versatile. This strawberry bread will serve you well from a sweet breakfast treat to an afternoon snack to a simple dessert.

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full instructions. Here are some helpful notes about the ingredients.

• All-purpose flour – As always, measure by weight for best results. Otherwise, use the spoon and sweep method of measuring.
• Old-fashioned rolled oats – These oats add a hearty, chewy texture.
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Unsalted butter – Allow the butter to soften before mixing. Learn more: How to Soften Butter
• Light brown sugar – If you aren’t measuring by weight, be sure your brown sugar is firmly packed.
• Eggs – Bring the eggs to room temperature before mixing.
• Vanilla extract
• Strawberries – You’ll need 6 ounces of strawberries, which is about 3/4 to 1 cup by volume. Chop these into bite-size pieces.
• Cream cheese – Full-fat, block cream cheese works best. Bring it to room temperature so it will mix smoothly and easily.
• Granulated sugar

Can I use frozen strawberries?

While fresh strawberries will work best, you can use frozen in a pinch or if that’s your preference. There’s no need to thaw them, but you may want to rinse them first in very cold water so the color doesn’t bleed into the bread. Keep in mind that frozen fruit will add more water to your baked goods. Learn more: Fresh vs Frozen Fruits in Baking

How to Make Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread

Despite the two separate components, this bread mixes quickly and easily. While most quick breads use the muffin method, this one uses the creaming method to make a bread that exists somewhere between a quick bread and a cake.

• Prepare for baking. Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. If you like, line the pan with parchment paper and grease the paper.
• Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, and salt.
• Combine the wet ingredients. Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy and lightened in color. Add the eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined or a few streaks of flour remain.
• Add the strawberries. Gently fold the strawberries into the batter with a mixing spoon or spatula.

• Make the cream cheese filling. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, granulated sugar, and the remaining teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
• Add the filling to the batter. Stir the cream cheese mixture partially into the batter, using 4 or 5 turns with a mixing spoon. You should see streaks of the cream cheese filling in the batter.
• Bake. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and bake 35 to 40 minutes. The bread is done when a pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool. Place the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• Change the berries. Substitute blueberries, raspberries, or another favorite in place of the strawberries.
• Lemon twist. Instead of vanilla, add a squeeze of lemon juice to the cream cheese mixture for a zesty flavor addition.
• Dress it up. Add a dollop of sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to turn this simple bread into an eye-catching dessert.

How to Store Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread

Once cooled, the bread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days. Bring individual servings to room temperature before serving.

Can This Bread Be Frozen?

Yes, this bread should freeze well. Wrap the cooled bread or individual slices in two layers of plastic wrap, and then wrap again in aluminum foil or place in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. Properly stored, it should keep in the freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

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