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Christmas Cranberry Loaf

Christmas Cranberry Loaf

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Christmas Cranberry Loaf: A Festive and Delicious Holiday Treat

The holiday season is filled with joy, warmth, and of course, delicious food. If you’re looking to bake something that captures the spirit of Christmas, look no further than this Christmas Cranberry Loaf. With its tart cranberries, sweet orange zest, and a moist, fluffy texture, this loaf is perfect for your holiday breakfast, brunch, or as a festive treat to share with family and friends.

Not only is this cranberry loaf a visual delight with its vibrant red berries, but it also offers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. It’s a crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee, making it an essential addition to your holiday baking list.

🍒 Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Loaf:

  • Festive and flavorful: The tartness of the cranberries perfectly complements the sweetness of the loaf.
  • Moist and fluffy texture: Thanks to a careful balance of ingredients, the loaf is light and soft.
  • Simple to make: With basic ingredients and a few simple steps, this loaf is easy to bake.
  • Perfect for gift-giving: Wrap it in parchment paper and tie with a festive ribbon to give as a homemade Christmas gift.

🛒 Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries (roughly chopped if using fresh)
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for added crunch)
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for topping (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan & Preheat the Oven

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  2. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

  1. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, orange juice, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  2. Stir in the orange zest to give the loaf a citrusy zing.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

  1. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a dense loaf.
  2. Gently fold in the cranberries (and nuts, if using) until evenly distributed. The batter will be thick, but that’s perfectly fine!

Step 5: Bake the Loaf

  1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  2. Sprinkle the coarse sugar over the top for a bit of sparkle and extra sweetness.
  3. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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