Yummiest Bread Ever

Cranberries are my new favorite fruit to bake with- they have a very distinct taste (tart, yet sweet), and they have a brilliant red color. AND they are totally Christmas-y! I cleaned out our fridge on Sunday, and what did I find? Half a bag of fresh cranberries, and three oranges. And everybody knows what you make with those two food items- Cranberry Nut Bread! This recipe is AWESOME- I found it off the back of the cranberry bag (Ocean Spray brand). It's super festive and delicious! I bought a 4 mini-loaf pan last month, and I've been baking bread like crazy. There are so many different flavor combinations to try- I think the next kind I will make will be either sour cream banana bread or lemon poppyseed.

Cranberry Nut Bread
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
2 Tb vegetable oil
1 Tb orange zest
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I used pecans, but I'm sure you could use walnuts or almonds)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan (or 4 mini-pans). Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, oil, orange peel and egg. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan(s). Bake for 55 minutes (mini-pans for about 30-35 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Makes 1 loaf (or 4 mini loaves).

ENJOY!!