Berry Bread with Spread

Ingredients for Spread:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed

Ingredients for Bread:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 eggs, at room temperature

1 cup cooking oil

1 jar (3.25 ounces) macadamia nuts, chopped

Directions for Bread:

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Drain strawberries, reserving 1/4 cup juice for bread batter. Add 6 tablespoons of berries to the cream cheese; beat well. Set remaining berries aside. Chill spread until serving.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda. Combine the eggs, oil and reserved berries and juice; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in nuts (batter will be stiff). Transfer to two greased 8" x 4" x 2" loaf pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Serve with spread.