Apricot Cheese Loaf

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Servings: 12
Yield: 12 servings

Description

Dried apricots and dates pack toothsome richness in this bread that also features cream cheese to balance the sweetness.

Ingredients

1 cup boiling water
1 cup dried apricots, chopped
3 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped

Directions

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
2 Pour boiling water over apricot pieces in a small bowl. Cool.
3 In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and dates.
4 In a large bowl, cream butter or margarine, cream cheese, and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until smooth. Stir in cooled apricots and water. Pour in flour mixture, and stir until moistened. Turn batter into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan.
5 Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until it tests done. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove from pan to rack. Cool.