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–+ servings
Freshly baked Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread loaf with cranberries

Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread

A delightful blend of sweet and tart flavors, this cranberry bread features fresh cranberries and a hint of orange zest, perfect for holiday gatherings.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar You can use less if you prefer it less sweet!
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tbsp extra sugar for topping
Wet Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest (about 1 orange)
Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries If frozen, do not thaw.
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts Optional for added crunch.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until well combined.
  2. If using fresh cranberries, rinse and pick through them to remove any shriveled ones. If frozen, use straight from the freezer. Toss the cranberries in a tablespoon of flour to help prevent them from sinking.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
  4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, gently folding until just combined. Add the cranberries and nuts (if using), folding them in gently.
  5. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan and pour the mixture into it, smoothing the top. Sprinkle a bit of extra sugar on top.
Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving
  1. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Serve slices warm, drizzled with honey or cream cheese for breakfast, or arrange on a platter for a festive brunch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10g

Notes

Consider substituting some cranberries for chopped apples or pears. For a vegan option, replace eggs with flax eggs and use coconut oil. Drizzle glaze made from powdered sugar and orange juice over the cooled bread for added sweetness.

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