Are you looking for a comforting and delicious treat that's perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this cranberry nut bread recipe! This recipe uses the tart sweetness of Ocean Spray cranberries to create a moist and flavorful loaf that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. It's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and the aroma filling your kitchen while it bakes is simply irresistible. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this simple yet elegant homemade bread.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily from the pan once baked.
Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make sure all the dry ingredients are well combined to prevent clumping in the final bread.
Creaming the Butter and Sugars:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the batter, leading to a lighter and more tender bread. You can use an electric mixer for best results.
Adding the Wet Ingredients:
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread, so be gentle.
Combining Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Incorporating the Cranberries and Nuts:
- Gently fold in the cranberry sauce and chopped nuts. The cranberry sauce adds both moisture and a lovely tartness to the bread.
Baking the Bread:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the bread from becoming soggy.
Tips for the Best Cranberry Nut Bread:
- Room temperature ingredients: Using softened butter and room temperature eggs helps create a smoother batter.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for doneness: Start checking for doneness around 50 minutes to avoid overbaking.
- Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for longer storage.
Variations:
- Citrus Zest: Add the zest of an orange or lemon for an extra layer of flavor.
- Different Nuts: Substitute other nuts like almonds or hazelnuts for walnuts or pecans.
- Spices: Experiment with other spices like cardamom or allspice.
- Dried Fruit: Add other dried fruits like raisins, chopped apricots, or cherries.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250-300 Fat: 12-15g Carbohydrates: 35-40g Sugar: 15-20g Protein: 4-5g
This cranberry nut bread is a perfect example of delicious and easy recipes, a fantastic addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas or simply a wonderful treat for any occasion. Enjoy this homemade cooking delight!