Introducing a festive delight perfect for the holiday season: Cranberry Orange Nut Bread. This beloved recipe is a staple among my Christmas gift offerings, cherished by friends and family alike for its irresistible blend of flavors and textures. With crunchy nuts, tangy cranberries, and sweet chocolate chips, this bread is a celebration of festive indulgence, sure to delight the taste buds of anyone lucky enough to receive it.
Prepared in just under an hour and a half, with a mere 40 minutes of prep time, this recipe falls under the category of Quick Breads, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving a homemade treat that’s ready in a flash. Bursting with the goodness of fruit and nuts, it’s an oven-baked delight that promises to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread.
Let’s delve into the details of this delightful recipe:
Cranberry Orange Nut Bread
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup chopped nuts (of your choice)
Instructions:
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Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray, or use two 1-lb. pans for smaller loaves.
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Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
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Blend in Margarine: Add the margarine to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, blend the margarine into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
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Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Stir in the egg and orange juice until all the flour is moistened. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
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Add Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the cranberries, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
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Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan(s), spreading it out evenly. Place the pan(s) in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes for a single large loaf, or 35-40 minutes for smaller loaves. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice and serve, or wrap it up for gifting to lucky recipients.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 2898.8
- Fat Content: 113.7g
- Saturated Fat Content: 29.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 211.5mg
- Sodium Content: 3414.3mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 441.7g
- Fiber Content: 21.5g
- Sugar Content: 218.4g
- Protein Content: 49.6g
Tips and Variations:
- For a healthier option, you can use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and replace some of the sugar with a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Experiment with different combinations of nuts and dried fruits to customize the bread to your liking. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, and dried cherries are all excellent choices.
- If you prefer a stronger orange flavor, add some orange zest to the batter along with the juice.
- Wrap the cooled bread in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it fresh for longer. It can also be frozen for future enjoyment.
Cranberry Orange Nut Bread is not only a delightful treat for the holiday season but a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re baking it for yourself or sharing it with loved ones, this bread is sure to become a cherished favorite in your repertoire of homemade goodies.
