Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

(the ultimate way to remember the holiday season)

I love the all the unique and different foods that come out this time of year; pumpkins, cranberries, turkey, etc. This is also the time of year that I do some of my best baking.

A few years ago, I was watching one of the food shows and they made a Pumpkin Cranberry bread. Now I love fresh quick breads like this so I had to give it a try. It was good, but I tend to believe I can make it better.

The first thing I notice was the tartness of the cranberries was not as profound, then I realized it needed some flavor, and breads like this always have to have some nuts. So I played around with the recipe and came up with this fantastic version. I hope you will try it for yourself?

Oh, by the way, I simplified the process so it becomes one bowl to clean afterwards... OK a measuring cup and a couple spoons too.

Ingredients: (2 full size loafs or 8 medium loafs)
4 Eggs
1 15oz can of Pumpkin Puree or just under 2 cups
1 Cup Vegetable or Canola Oil (I like Canola)
3 2/3 cup Sugar (I know its alot, but this makes alot)
4 cups All Purpose Flour
2 tbl pumpkin pie spice (I mix my own, its far from inexpensive that way)
2 tsp Baking Soda (The yellow box, not the can)
1 tsp salt
2 tbl Real Vanilla extract or the scrapings on on whole vanilla bean
4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup lightly chopped pecans
1 tbl Satsuma or Mandarin Orange Zest (optional, if available)

To start, determine how you are going to make the loaves, pans, clean empty soup cans, etc. Take the implement you will use and spray with cooking oil spray or use a paper towel and some cooking oil to coat the bottom and sides.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees

Next, you can use a regular mixing bowl, I use a stand mixer (the best investment a baker could make).

In the bowl place the eggs, pumpkin and oil

 Then Mix on low

Flour

Next start adding the dry ingredients,

Sugar

Pumpkin Spice

Baking Soda and Salt

Start Mixing 

When combined, add the Vanilla and Zest

Mix well until fully integrated

Now add the Cranberries and mix

Last step in the mix, add the pecan and mix

Now it is time to fill the loaf pans, can's or other implement. Fill approximately 2/3 of the way up to the top

Cans

Medium Loaf pans

Place in the oven (on a lower rack if using cans)

Both can be baked together

The medium loaves and can's take approx. 35-40 minutes. Test by placing a toothpick in the center (not in a cranberry) and if it pulls out clean, they are done. If not, cook 5 more minutes and check. Mini-loaves take approx. 20-25 mins. Same check.

When done allow to cool before eating:

Enjoy!