Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays - One Of My Many Favorite Breads -Great for Gift Giving

Cranberry-Orange Nut Bread  

Worth the 3 hour bread machine wait! 

(Only 1 hour in the oven.)

This recipe is suitable for bread machine or oven.

If you love the tart, sweet tang of the combination of cranberry and orange you will love this bread.

I had never made this recipe. I wanted a festive recipe to make for Christmas gift giving.  This recipe was found on Food.com and is also in King Arthur Baker's Companion .

I've had my two bread machines going these past few days. The aromas in the house are amazing!

In addition to my baking staples, I also keep powdered buttermilk in my refrigerator. The powder can be used to make buttermilk whenever you run across a recipe that requires this ingredient.

For regular oven baking follow the instructions on this link:
http://www.food.com/recipe/cranberry-orange-nut-bread-281140

For bread machine:

3/4 c. orange juice, (optional: I also used 1 Tbsp. orange zest, 1/2 tsp. orange extract)
3/4 c. buttermilk (sour cream or plain yogurt works also)
1 egg beaten
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 c  All Purpose Flour
3/4 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt

Add ingredients in the order given. Press the Sweet Bread setting.
When machine beeps after first mixing, add 1 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup chopped nuts (your choice)


I let my bread cool upside down in the pan. Before removing, run a thin plastic spatula around the edge if needed. Don't forget to remove the paddle! It will be baked into the bread. If you do it carefully, you can minimize the little hole in the bottom.

We have been enjoying my "test bread" these past few mornings with coffee and sometimes sneak a piece to nibble on in the afternoon for a sweet treat.  

This bread is definitely "a keeper" and will be made year 'round and is something I'd be proud to give my friends and neighbors.

Moist, tart, sweet & delicious!

                                     

One for me, one to give!
I cooled them upside down in the pan.
Don't forget to remove the paddle from inside the bread.

                                     

I can't tell you how many recipes for breads, rolls and pizza I've tried with 100% success in the Bread Book, I love, love this book.

The container is what I put the loaf in after it cools.  The bread keeps well with this method of storage.