Heaven Patti Mills

INGREDIENTS

• Strawberry Cream Cheese Bread heart emoticon
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 (3 ounce) cream cheese, softened
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk (half 'n half)
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries, chopped
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)

THE METHOD

1. 1 With electric mixer cream butter, sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla.
2. 2 In separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Blend flour mixture with butter mixture just until blended. Add half 'n half and only stir just to blend -- do not overstir!
3. 3 Drain strawberries and blot dry. Carefully just fold in strawberries and nuts. Dough mixture will be thick.
4. 4 Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Let bread mellow for one day and then serve.