Holiday Loaf Love

Cranberry nut bread worthy of gifting

Here is one of my absolutely favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas family recipes. I bake batches and batches of this Cranberry Nut Bread Bread that our family just devours. They freeze beautifully and make wonderful gifts for friends, family, and neighbors.

I make mine in the smallest loaf pans I can find, but this recipe works equally well as a full-size loaf pan. Cooled and wrapped in festive paper, they will bring a smile to your friends’ faces.

Happy Holidays and Enjoy!

Cranberry Nut Bread

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons double-acting baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
• 3/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup coarsely chopped cranberries
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Instructions

• In a food processor or in a bowl with a pastry blender blend together the flour, the sugar, the baking powder, the salt, the baking soda, and the butter until the mixture resembles meal; transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the zest, the juice, and the egg; add the mixture to the flour mixture, and stir the batter until it is just combined.
• Stir in the cranberries and the walnuts and transfer the batter to a well-buttered 9- by 5-inch loaf pan (or smaller pans).
• Bake the bread in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 1-1/4 hours, or until a tester comes out clean.
• Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes and turn it out onto a rack.
• If preferred, prepare your favorite glaze and drizzle all over the top of the bread.