How To Make Cranberry Orange Bread

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A few weeks ago I was excited because I had some extra fresh cranberries to play around with. I’ve been working on some bread recipes and I wanted to see about making a special treat for my boys on Thanksgiving morning.

I happily mixed everything together. It was the last thing to go into the oven on the day before Thanksgiving. My youngest (the chef in the family) and I had carefully planned out the week of cooking. But this little something extra, a quick bread made with cranberries, wasn’t on the list and I thought it would be a nice surprise.

But the aroma was too much…..

The smell of a freshly baked treat hung heavy in the air.

As soon as I turned the bread pan over, there was a voice over my shoulder asking, “Can I have just a little piece?”

Of course, I said, “NO” and left it to cool, but then another voice asked, “please, we’ve been cooking all day.”

What could I say? What could I do?

5 minutes is all it took before the 3 almost grown men and one grown-up dad devoured the entire loaf.

I sighed as I went to clean the loaf pan. It’s not as bad as it could be, I suppose…

At least it was a hit and they all loved it. I had to make another loaf to shoot the picture above. Well, truth be told, 2 more loaves. This one is a keeper. Make it today but don’t be surprised if there is none tomorrow. I’ve given you fair warning.

Cranberry-Orange Bread Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • zest of 2 oranges or 4 mandarins
  • ¾ cups orange juice
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
  • ½ cup walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F.

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Squeeze some fresh juice. You can use store bought if you don’t have enough, but…..

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be sure you have a few oranges for your zest.

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Pulse cranberries, ginger, and sugar in a food processor.

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In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, spices, and salt.

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In a large bowl place juice, eggs and vanilla. Beat on medium until combined (about 1 minute). Add butter and mix to combine.

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Add zest

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Then slowly add in dry ingredients. Stirring with a spatula until all the dry ingredients are incorporated.

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Stir in nuts.

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Grease 8×4 inch bread pan. (To make two loaves like I have here just double the recipe.)

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Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

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 Let cool before cutting (if you can).

What’s your favorite quick bread?