Orange Cream Cheese Loaf

One of our Mom’s Pantry regulars, Karen, shared this with me. It is fabulous. The loaf is moist and full of flavor and the recipe is quick and easy. The hardest part is letting it cool before slicing that first piece!

Orange Cream Cheese Bread

1-8 oz package 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 grated orange peel
1/4 c orange juice

Combine cream cheese and shortening, creaming well. Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix well after each addition. Stir in walnuts and orange peel. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 x 3 inch loaf pans. Bake at 375 degrees F for 55 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

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