Food gifts are always a highlight of my gift giving holiday regimen. Is it because I like to cook? Or maybe because I like to eat (!).
This year I was inspired by Jaclyn of Food + Words’ article about homemade gifts in the debut issue of FoodieCrush magazine (page 18) and planned on making one of my favorite quick breads, a recipe given to me years ago by a dear co-worker.
But once I baked my loaves of Cranberry Nut Bread, my distribution intention gears changed toot sweet.
I just had to have one slice. And then another. And maybe just clean up those little old crumbs over there.The combo of tart cranberries and sweet bread with the nuts were just too good to share.
It was Christmas. I deserved a treat too, right? Right?
So instead of receiving the breads, my neighbors found my mom’s awesomest fudge in my cake-crumbed hands, standing at their doors, with a delicious holiday food gift substitute.
Today I found there were just a few slices left, so I used them in a sweet, cakey version of french toast for my daughter and her sleepover friend. Um, yeah. They licked the plates clean.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Cranberry Nut Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons backing powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup orange juice
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons shortening
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 ½ cups fresh or fresh frozen cranberries coarsely chopped
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, with a wooden spoon mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda.
- Stir in orange juice, orange zest, shortening and egg and mix until well blended.
- Stir in cranberries and nuts.
- Pour batter into 2 greased mini loaf pans or one 9 X 5 inch loaf pan.
- Bake for 40 minutes if making small loaves, 55 minutes for a large loaf or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pan and cool.
And now, a tasty assortment of savory and sweet quick breads that will have you wiping crumbs from your chin in just over an hour
photo > The Year In Food
Apple Molasses Bread from The Year In Food stays moist thanks to the applesauce and fresh apple combo.
photo > Snacksgiving
More cakelike in crumb, Snacksgiving’s Raspberry Almond Tea Bread tea cake is fresh with raspberries and heart-healthy almonds
photo > Recipe Girl
The perfect way to finish off the last drops of eggnog with Recipe Girl‘s Glazed Eggnog Bread spiced with fresh nutmeg, vanilla and yum rum extract.
photo > There’s a Newf In My Soup
There’s a Newf In My Soup based her Smoked Cheddar and Chive Bread Savory Smoked Cheddar and Chive Bread with Walnuts on a recipe from French Fridays with Dorie and assures us it makes for a great addition for cocktail parties or an easy add-on to a wintertime soup dinner.
photo > Family Style Food
Forgoing butter for healthier olive oil, Family Style Food sent whole wheat on a double date with chocolate chips and rosemary and boom! a love connection was born with Rosemary and Bittersweet Chocolate Quick Bread
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This is a fabulous blog. As buy assignment canada expert, I am really glad to visit this blog.
ohh, they look yummi! will try the rosemary and chocolate bread asap!
Oh wow, this looks so amazing. I wonder how cranberries would pair with pistachios. I am loving that raspberry one as well.
These pictures are stunning. And what a great selection of breads! I had never even though of a savory bread. What a fantastic change up from overly sweet loafs!
Oh, how I wish I could reach through the screen and eat some of this delicious looking bread! Thanks for sharing !
A Southern Bee Diary
:)
Thank you so much for the include. They all look so tempting!
Great looking quick breads, I loved your description about your gorgeous cranberry version! And hey; fudge is a great present too;)
I love these breads !! wanna have a slice of each, too !
Loving this round-up! Just made cranberry orange bread myself. That rosemary bittersweet chocolate bread is making me drool.
Super pretty!
They all look simply amazingly awesome! And, they are just beautiful, too!
YUM! I am such a HUGE fan of quick breads! Adding all of these to my recipe box!
This bread looks so very yummy, moist and just the thing to have with a cup of hot milky tea. Lovely.
I am ALL over these! Yum! Every last one of them look sooo really good.
That glazed eggnog bread looks fantastic! Now I’m hungry!
I’d like a slice of each. Quick breads are perfect any time of day.
Tis the season for bread! I’m making a Rosca de Reyes (King’s Cake) this weekend and love all the inspiration – GRACIAS! I really like the sound of that eggnog glaze. YUM!
Yum! Are you going to hide the kings?
Great excuse to use my new loaf pan! Love the rosemary and chocolate combination :)
I thought that recipe looked especially intriguing, going to give it a go.
I have a weakness for quick breads and muffins, so I can see how that bread didn’t make it out of your house! Sounds delicious.
I agree with you, quick breads are the perfect treat. And tricks me into thinking I’m eating something healthy!
Heading over to get the recipe for apple molasses bread, it sounds divine. And , Heidi, your bread In its pretty little box is giving my Saran wrapped loaves a serious complex.
I got them at Crate & Barrel a few years ago, pretty sure they still have them.
Beautiful breads….makes me wanna fire up the oven and start baking!