Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas!


So do you have everything done yet?  What?  No?  What are you waiting for?  Kidding!  I will be busting my butt tonight finishing up everything.......last minute wrapping.....baking.....and cleaning.  We'll be heading over to my in-laws house for Christmas Eve (with all 9 of their grandkids, and my parents, who flew in from Texas).  Then we'll have Christmas Day at our house with my parents, my sister and brother-in-law, and our dearest family friends.  I'm so excited.....just got to get through today! 

I usually end up passing out cookies to all of our neighbors as a little Christmas treat.  But then, everyone else also does that, so you just end up with a pile of cookies.  So, I decided to be a little bit different this year and bake up little breads instead.  I settled on this Cranberry-Walnut Bread from Martha Stewart Everyday Food.  It's bursting with fresh cranberries, walnuts, and an added zing from orange zest and orange juice.  I had found the paper mini bread loaf pans at Sur laTable a while back, and I figured it was the perfect thing for a holiday gift!  Give this a try.....tastes like the holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!  I hope that you are able to spend the holidays with your loved ones near.....and may your New Year be filled with many sweet things.

Enjoy!

CRANBERRY-ORANGE WALNUT BREAD
Source: Martha Stewart Everyday Food

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pan
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

1.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Butter and flour an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pan; set aside.  In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

2.  With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed until combined.  Add egg, and beat well.  Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until combined (dough will appear very dry).  Reduce speed to low; beat in orange zest and juice.  Fold in cranberries and walnuts.

3.  Spread batter in prepared pan, smoothing top.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 minutes to 1 hour (tent with foil if top is browning too quickly).  Cool in pan 10 minutes; run a knife around edges of loaf, and invert onto a wire rack.  Turn top side up; cool completely before slicing.

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6 comments:

  1. Looks fantastic! I found you on Sweets for a Saturday.

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  2. Merry Christmas Kirsten. Have a wonderful holiday. andi

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  3. Yum! Sounds like the perfect Christmas gift to me. I would love to have a loaf. Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

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  4. Kirsten,
    The bread looks delicious! Love the cranberries and orange combo with walnuts. Pat

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  5. What a great gift to give. These look delish! Thanks for sharing on Crazy Sweet Tuesday!

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  6. Kristen,
    There is nothing better than a great Cranberry Bread for the holidays, your recipe looks delicious! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Happy New Year to you and your family and Abundant Blessings in 2012!
    Miz Helen

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