Orange Nut Bread With Cream Cheese Spread

Orange Nut Bread With Cream Cheese Spread

1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup orange juice
1 cup chopped walnuts

SPREAD:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with orange juice. Fold in walnuts. Transfer to three greased 5-3/4-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, orange juice, confectioners' sugar and peel until well blended. Chill until serving. Serve with bread.

Yield: 3 mini loaves (6 slices each) and 1 cup spread. 

Recipe source: Taste of Home Magazine, Feb/March, 2009,  Submitted by Karen Sue Garback-Pristera of Albany, New York. http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/