Are you ready to embrace the cozy flavors of fall? Then look no further than this delicious pumpkin cranberry bread! This recipe is perfect for a chilly evening, a weekend baking project, or a thoughtful homemade gift. It's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, resulting in a moist, flavorful loaf that's bursting with autumnal goodness. This healthy and delicious dish is a perfect addition to your repertoire of quick dinner ideas and easy recipes.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your bread releases easily.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Make sure there are no lumps for even baking.
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Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
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Combine: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough bread.
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Add Cranberries: Fold in the cranberries until they're evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Bake: 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.
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Cool: 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 Pumpkin Cranberry Bread:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and pumpkin puree helps create a more evenly textured bread.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark. Ovens can vary, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
- Storage: Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Variations:
- Nuts: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.
- Spices: Experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg or allspice.
- Citrus: Add the zest of one orange or lemon for a brighter flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for a decadent twist.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250-300
- Fat: Approximately 10-12g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 35-40g
- Protein: Approximately 4-5g
This homemade pumpkin cranberry bread is a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Enjoy this simple and delicious recipe, and happy baking! It's the perfect addition to your collection of best recipes and healthy meals. This easy recipe is sure to become a family favorite, especially during the fall and holiday seasons.