Cranberry Nut Bread 🍞🍊

This delightful cranberry nut bread is a wonderful blend of sweet and tart flavors, perfect for breakfast, tea time, or as a homemade gift during the holidays. The vibrant taste of cranberries paired with the warm notes of orange zest makes it a delightful treat that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easy to whip up and fills your kitchen with a comforting aroma!

Ingredients

For the bread

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup butter (cut into small pieces)
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 3/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best!)
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups cranberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.

🍊 Freshly squeezing your orange juice can really enhance the flavor of the bread, giving it a zesty kick!

• In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
• Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

🥄 Make sure not to overwork the butter; you want flaky bits for a tender bread texture!

• In a small bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the orange juice and orange zest. Blend this mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined.

• Gently fold in the cranberries and chopped walnuts, if using.

🍇 If using frozen cranberries, there's no need to thaw them first—just toss them in straight from the freezer to prevent them from getting mushy.

• Transfer the batter to your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.

• Bake in the preheated oven for 65 to 70 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

⏳ If the top is browning too fast, loosely cover it with aluminum foil towards the end of baking.

• Once baked, cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Variations

• Add-ins: Want to spice things up? Consider adding chocolate chips or dried fruit for extra sweetness.
• Nut-free: Omit walnuts or substitute with sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
• Whole Wheat: Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier bread.
• Muffins: Turn this recipe into muffins by pouring the batter into a muffin tin; bake for about 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy a slice of this delicious cranberry nut bread with a pat of butter or as a festive addition to your holiday table! 🥰🍞