Ingredients
- A generous cup of gently warmed water
- Pair of tablespoons of rich brown sugar
- A tiny package of lively dry yeast
- A luscious cup of whipped cream cheese
- Half a cup of finely chopped almonds
- Three tablespoons of creamy milk
- Two tablespoons of smooth vegetable oil
- Two tablespoons of golden honey
- A tablespoon of savory salt
- One and a half cups of versatile all-purpose flour
- One and a half cups of hearty whole wheat flour
Step 1
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine warm water, brown sugar, and yeast, stirring until well mixed. Allow the mixture to rest until the yeast softens and creates a velvety foam, approximately 5 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a generously greased large bowl for later use.
Step 2
Next, incorporate whipped cream cheese, almonds, milk, vegetable oil, honey, and salt into the yeast blend. Transfer this delightful concoction to a blender and blend until achieving a lusciously creamy texture.
Step 3
Gradually combine all-purpose flour with the creamy mixture in the large bowl, incorporating whole-wheat flour as well, stirring until a harmoniously smooth dough is formed.
Step 4
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it until it feels supple and elastic, typically around 8 minutes. Gently place the dough in the prepared greased bowl, ensuring to coat the top of the dough with a light layer of grease. Cover the bowl with a cloth and allow it to rise until doubled in size, which usually takes about 45 minutes.
Step 5
Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and grease a 5x9-inch bread pan in anticipation of the next steps.
Step 6
Once the dough has risen, deflate it by gently punching it down and kneading it again on a floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and carefully transfer it into the greased bread pan. Let the dough rise once more in a warm spot until it doubles in size, which typically takes another 45 minutes.
Step 7
Bake the prepared loaf in the preheated oven until it is thoroughly cooked in the middle and boasts a beautifully browned top, usually requiring 50 to 60 minutes. If the top of the bread darkens too quickly during baking, shield it with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
Extra Tips & Suggestions
- - Ensure your cream cheese almond bread stays fresh and moist by storing it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- - If you want to enhance the flavors and keep the bread moist, consider adding a small slice of apple or a dampened paper towel to the storage container.
- - To prevent the bread from drying out, you can also place a small piece of bread or a crust of bread in the container with the cream cheese almond bread.
