Decadent Cream Cheese Bread
Indulge in the rich and velvety texture of this decadent cream cheese yeast bread. Perfectly soft and slightly tangy, this bread is not only delicious on its own but also serves as an excellent base for creating cinnamon rolls or French toast. Its versatility makes it a delightful addition to any breakfast table or as a savory companion to meals. Enjoy the wonderful aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes, and savor the satisfying flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1/2 cup (warm)
Cream Cheese
1/2 cup (softened)
Butter
2 tablespoons (melted)
Egg
1 (beaten)
Sugar
4 tablespoons (granulated)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Bread Flour
3 cups (unbleached)
Active Dry Yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
Begin by checking your bread machine's instructions to determine the appropriate order for adding ingredients.
2
In the bread pan, add the warm water, softened cream cheese, melted butter, and beaten egg, mixing well.
3
Next, sprinkle the sugar and salt over the wet ingredients, followed by the bread flour, ensuring it covers the liquid completely.
4
Finally, make a small well in the center of the flour and add the active dry yeast. This prevents the yeast from coming into contact with the liquid too soon.
5
Select the dough cycle on your bread machine and start the process. Allow the machine to knead and rise the dough.
6
Once the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough from the machine and gently form it into a loaf shape.
7
Place the shaped dough into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan and cover it with a clean kitchen towel.
8
Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, approximately 30-60 minutes.
9
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
10
Once the dough has risen, bake it in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
11
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Cream Cheese Bread?
Decadent Cream Cheese Bread is a rich, velvety yeast bread made with cream cheese, butter, and eggs, resulting in a soft and slightly tangy loaf.
What makes this cream cheese bread decadent?
The addition of cream cheese and butter provides a high fat content that creates a tender, moist crumb and a rich flavor profile.
Do I need a bread machine for this recipe?
The recipe is designed to use a bread machine's dough cycle for kneading and the first rise, but you finish by shaping the loaf and baking it in a standard oven.
What type of flour should I use?
This recipe calls for 3 cups of unbleached bread flour, which provides the necessary gluten structure for a high-rising loaf.
Can I substitute bread flour with all-purpose flour?
While bread flour is recommended for its higher protein content, all-purpose flour can be used, though the texture may be slightly less chewy.
Why must the water be warm?
Warm water helps to activate the active dry yeast, ensuring the dough rises properly during the dough cycle.
How do I prepare the cream cheese?
The cream cheese should be softened to room temperature so it incorporates smoothly into the wet ingredients without leaving lumps.
Should the egg be beaten?
Yes, the egg should be beaten before being added to the bread pan to ensure it mixes evenly throughout the dough.
Why do I make a well in the flour for the yeast?
Creating a well in the flour prevents the yeast from coming into contact with the wet ingredients until the bread machine starts the mixing process.
What cycle do I use on my bread machine?
You should select the dough cycle, which handles the mixing, kneading, and the initial rising phase.
How do I shape the dough?
After the dough cycle is complete, remove the dough and gently form it into a loaf shape that fits a 9x5 inch pan.
What size loaf pan is required?
A standard 9x5 inch greased loaf pan is recommended for this recipe.
How long is the second rise?
The shaped dough should rise in a warm place for approximately 30 to 60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
At what temperature should I bake the bread?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the bread take to bake?
The bread typically bakes for about 35 minutes until the top is golden brown.
How can I tell if the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when the top is golden brown and it makes a hollow sound when gently tapped on the top.
Can this dough be used for cinnamon rolls?
Yes, the rich and slightly sweet nature of this dough makes it an excellent base for homemade cinnamon rolls.
Is this bread good for French toast?
Absolutely, the dense and velvety texture holds up very well to custard, making it perfect for indulgent French toast.
How should I cool the bread?
Allow the loaf to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
What is the flavor profile of this bread?
It has a satisfying flavor that is perfectly soft with a slight tanginess from the cream cheese.
Can I add sugar to the recipe?
The recipe already includes 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar to provide a touch of sweetness.
What type of yeast is required?
The recipe specifies 1.5 teaspoons of active dry yeast.
Should the butter be melted?
Yes, using 2 tablespoons of melted butter ensures it integrates perfectly with the other liquid ingredients.
Is this bread savory or sweet?
It is versatile; while it has a slight sweetness, it can serve as a savory companion to meals or a sweet breakfast item.
What order should ingredients be added to the bread machine?
You should follow your specific machine's instructions, though typically liquids are added first, followed by dry ingredients, with yeast last.
Can I use this recipe for bread machine baking?
While this recipe uses the dough cycle and oven baking, you could attempt the full cycle in a bread machine, though the crust texture will differ.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 main ingredients: water, cream cheese, butter, egg, sugar, salt, bread flour, and yeast.
Does the dough need to be covered during the second rise?
Yes, cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel to keep it from drying out while it rises in the pan.
What happens if I don't soften the cream cheese?
If the cream cheese is too cold, it may not blend thoroughly, resulting in small white specks of cheese throughout the finished bread.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but you may want to slightly reduce the additional teaspoon of salt if you are sensitive to saltiness.