Cranberry Nut Quick Bread: A Festive & Flavorful Delight

Cranberry nut quick bread is a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion, but it especially shines during the holiday season. The tartness of the cranberries, the crunch of the nuts, and the warm, comforting flavors make it an irresistible addition to breakfast, brunch, or even dessert. Unlike yeast breads, quick breads rely on baking powder or baking soda for leavening, making them incredibly easy and fast to prepare. This recipe will guide you through each step, ensuring a moist, flavorful, and perfectly textured cranberry nut quick bread every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Quick and Easy:** As the name suggests, quick bread is quick to make! No kneading or rising time required.
* **Festive Flavors:** The combination of cranberries and nuts evokes the warmth and cheer of the holidays.
* **Versatile:** Enjoy it plain, toasted, or with a smear of butter or cream cheese.
* **Perfect for Gifting:** Wrap a loaf in cellophane and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
* **Customizable:** Easily adapt the recipe to your preferences by adding different nuts, spices, or citrus zest.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather all your ingredients. This ensures a smooth and efficient baking process.

* **All-Purpose Flour:** The foundation of our bread. 3 cups (360g)
* **Granulated Sugar:** Adds sweetness and helps with browning. 1 cup (200g)
* **Baking Powder:** Our leavening agent, responsible for the rise. 1 teaspoon
* **Baking Soda:** Another leavening agent, also adds to browning and flavor. 1/2 teaspoon
* **Salt:** Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. 1/2 teaspoon
* **Orange Zest:** Adds a bright, citrusy note. 1 tablespoon (optional, but highly recommended!)
* **Eggs:** Provide structure, richness, and moisture. 2 large
* **Milk:** Adds moisture and helps bind the ingredients. 1 cup (240ml)
* **Vegetable Oil:** Keeps the bread moist and tender. 1/2 cup (120ml)
* **Vanilla Extract:** Enhances the overall flavor. 1 teaspoon
* **Fresh or Frozen Cranberries:** The star of the show! 1 1/2 cups (150g), roughly chopped if fresh.
* **Chopped Nuts:** Add texture and nutty flavor. Walnuts, pecans, or almonds work well. 1 cup (100g)

Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×5 inch Loaf Pan:** The standard size for quick breads.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For combining wet and dry ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Whisk:** For combining dry ingredients.
* **Rubber Spatula:** For scraping down the sides of the bowl and folding in the cranberries and nuts.
* **Parchment Paper (optional):** For easy removal of the bread from the pan.
* **Oven:** For baking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to bake the perfect cranberry nut quick bread:

**Step 1: Prepare the Pan**

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oven rack is in the center position.
* Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. This will allow you to lift the bread out easily after baking.

**Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients**

* In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest (if using). Whisking ensures that the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is crucial for proper leavening.

**Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients**

* In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Make sure the eggs are well incorporated into the mixture.

**Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients**

* Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to gently mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. A few streaks of flour are okay at this stage.

**Step 5: Add Cranberries and Nuts**

* Gently fold in the cranberries and nuts until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Again, be careful not to overmix.

**Step 6: Pour Batter into Pan**

* Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. If you want, you can sprinkle a few extra chopped nuts on top for decoration.

**Step 7: Bake**

* Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so start checking for doneness around 50 minutes.

**Step 8: Cool**

* Let the bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. If you used parchment paper, simply lift the bread out of the pan using the overhang.

**Step 9: Slice and Serve**

* Once the bread is completely cool, slice it with a serrated knife. Serve plain, toasted, or with a smear of butter, cream cheese, or your favorite jam.

Tips for Success

* **Measure Flour Accurately:** The best way to measure flour is using a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping the flour directly from the bag, as this can pack it down and result in too much flour in the recipe.
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Room temperature ingredients combine more easily and create a smoother batter. This is especially important for the eggs and milk.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough bread. Mix until just combined.
* **Check for Doneness:** Use a wooden skewer to check for doneness. Insert the skewer into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, the bread is done. If it comes out with wet batter, bake for a few more minutes and check again.
* **Let Cool Completely:** Let the bread cool completely before slicing. This will prevent it from crumbling.
* **Add Citrus Zest:** Don’t skip the orange zest! It adds a wonderful aroma and flavor to the bread.
* **Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries:** Both fresh and frozen cranberries work well in this recipe. If using frozen cranberries, do not thaw them before adding them to the batter.
* **Toast for Extra Flavor:** Toasted slices of cranberry nut quick bread are delicious with butter or cream cheese.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is a great base for experimentation. Here are a few ideas to customize it to your liking:

* **Nuts:** Use different types of nuts, such as pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, or macadamia nuts. You can also use a combination of nuts.
* **Spices:** Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or allspice to the batter for a warmer, spicier flavor.
* **Citrus:** Use lemon or lime zest instead of orange zest.
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a chocolatey twist.
* **Dried Fruit:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped dried apricots, raisins, or cherries to the batter.
* **Glaze:** Drizzle a simple glaze over the cooled bread. To make a glaze, whisk together 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk or lemon juice.
* **Vegan Version:** Substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg). Use plant-based milk and oil.
* **Gluten-Free Version:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You may need to add a binding agent like xanthan gum.

Serving Suggestions

Cranberry nut quick bread is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **Breakfast or Brunch:** Serve slices of cranberry nut quick bread with butter, cream cheese, or jam alongside scrambled eggs, bacon, or sausage.
* **Dessert:** Serve slices of cranberry nut quick bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
* **Snack:** Enjoy a slice of cranberry nut quick bread with a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Gift:** Wrap a loaf of cranberry nut quick bread in cellophane and tie with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Storage Instructions

* **Room Temperature:** Store cranberry nut quick bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
* **Refrigerator:** Store cranberry nut quick bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
* **Freezer:** Wrap cranberry nut quick bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Cranberry Nut Quick Bread Recipe

**Yields:** 1 loaf
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 50-60 minutes

Ingredients:

* 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
* 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
* 2 large eggs
* 1 cup (240ml) milk
* 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups (150g) fresh or frozen cranberries, roughly chopped if fresh
* 1 cup (100g) chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest (if using).
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in cranberries and nuts.
6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
8. Let cool in pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Slice and serve.

Enjoy your homemade Cranberry Nut Quick Bread!

Nutrition Information (per slice)

* Calories: Approximately 250-300
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 2-3g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 30-35g
* Fiber: 1-2g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 3-4g

*Please note that the nutrition information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

This cranberry nut quick bread is more than just a recipe; it’s an experience. It’s the aroma filling your kitchen, the warmth of the oven, and the satisfaction of creating something delicious to share with loved ones. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a loaf of happiness!