Oh my goodness, let me tell you about cranberry bread! This delightful quick bread is an absolute gem in my kitchen, bursting with the tangy sweetness of cranberries that just dances on your taste buds. It’s incredibly versatile, too! You can enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a light dessert. Imagine slicing into that gorgeous loaf, revealing the vibrant pop of cranberries and the warm, inviting aroma wafting through your home. Trust me, every bite is a cozy hug! Whether you use fresh or dried cranberries, this bread always delivers a moist, tender crumb that makes it a favorite for family gatherings or quiet afternoons with a cup of tea. You’re going to love it!
Ingredients for Cranberry Bread
Gather these simple ingredients to whip up your delicious cranberry bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – This is the base for your bread, giving it structure.
- 1 cup sugar – Sweetens the bread and balances the tartness of the cranberries.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda – Helps the bread rise, giving it that lovely fluffy texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon – Adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the cranberries beautifully.
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries – These little bursts of tartness are the stars of the show!
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts – For a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil – Keeps the bread moist and tender.
- 2 large eggs – Binds everything together and adds richness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A hint of sweetness that rounds out the flavors.
- 1/2 cup orange juice – Adds a refreshing citrus note that brightens the bread.
How to Prepare Cranberry Bread
Let’s dive into the fun part—making your cranberry bread! First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s nice and hot when your batter is ready to go in.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Give it a good stir to mix everything together. Next, fold in the fresh or dried cranberries and chopped walnuts, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dry ingredients. This way, every slice will be packed with flavor!
In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange juice. Once that’s all blended, pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—don’t overmix, or your bread might turn out dense.
Now, pour your batter into a greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Pop it in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. After baking, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. The aroma in your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy preparation—perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking!
- Moist and flavorful texture that keeps you coming back for more.
- Deliciously balanced sweetness with a pop of tart cranberry goodness.
- Versatile enough to enjoy for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert.
- Customizable with nuts or spices to suit your taste.
- Fills your home with a warm, inviting aroma that makes everyone smile.
Tips for Success with Cranberry Bread
To make your cranberry bread truly shine, here are some of my favorite tips! First off, if you’re using fresh cranberries, don’t forget to rinse and pick through them to remove any bad ones—trust me, it makes a difference! If you want to cut down on sugar, you can swap out some of the granulated sugar for honey or maple syrup, but adjust the liquid ingredients accordingly.
Also, keep an eye on your baking time; ovens can vary, and if your bread starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Finally, adding a tablespoon of orange zest gives an extra zing! With these little tweaks, you’ll have a cranberry bread that’s just perfect!
Variations on Cranberry Bread
There are so many fun ways to customize your cranberry bread to make it uniquely yours! For a tropical twist, consider adding 1/2 cup of shredded coconut along with your cranberries. If you’re a fan of chocolate, mix in some chocolate chips—trust me, it’s a match made in heaven! You can also swap out the walnuts for pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor. Feeling adventurous? Try adding spices like nutmeg or ginger for a warm, spiced version, or even a splash of maple syrup instead of sugar for a deeper sweetness. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and have fun with it!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your cranberry bread fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator, where it can last for about a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it! Just slice the bread first, then wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it thaw at room temperature or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up. Yum!
Nutritional Information for Cranberry Bread
This cranberry bread is not just delicious; it also has some pretty decent nutritional stats! A typical serving size of one slice contains approximately 200 calories, with 8g of fat, including 1g of saturated fat. You’ll also find about 3g of protein and 30g of carbohydrates, along with 2g of fiber. Plus, it has 10g of sugar and 150mg of sodium. Keep in mind that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you choose, but it’s a yummy treat with a balance that fits nicely into your diet!
FAQ About Cranberry Bread
Got questions about cranberry bread? I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common ones I hear:
Can I use frozen cranberries? Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw and drain them before adding to your batter. This helps prevent excess moisture in your bread.
What’s the best way to tell when it’s done baking? Great question! A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time.
Can I make this bread ahead of time? Yes! It actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Just store it in an airtight container after it’s completely cooled.
How do I make cranberry bread gluten-free? You can easily swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it has a good binding agent like xanthan gum for the right texture.
Can I add other fruits to the cranberry bread? Definitely! Chopped apples or pears can be fantastic additions. Just be sure to adjust the sugar if your fruits are sweet!
Drucken
Cranberry Bread: 7 Reasons You’ll Fall in Love Today
- Gesamtzeit: 80 minutes
- Ertrag: 1 loaf 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Cranberry bread is a moist and flavorful quick bread made with fresh or dried cranberries.
Zutaten
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup fresh or dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup orange juice
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Add cranberries and walnuts to the dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, whisk together oil, eggs, vanilla, and orange juice.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add orange zest.
- Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 65 minutes
- Kategorie: Breads
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 slice
- Kalorien: 200
- Zucker: 10g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 8g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 1g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 30g
- Faser: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterin: 30mg
Keywords: cranberry bread
