Nut Bread - Cranberry Classic
A moist, flavorful nut bread featuring fresh cranberries, orange zest, and warm spices, perfect for festive occasions or a hearty snack for friends and family.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour ⓘ
- 3 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon grated orange rind ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup vegetable shortening ⓘ
- 1 cup orange juice ⓘ
- 2/3 cup light molasses ⓘ
- 3 large eggs ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
- In a bowl, mix together flour, sugar, orange rind, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, allspice, and cloves.
- Add vegetable shortening, orange juice, and molasses to the dry ingredients.
- Beat for 2 minutes at medium speed; mix thoroughly.
- Add eggs and beat for 2 minutes.
- Stir in cranberries, shredded carrots, and chopped pecans.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
For a slightly healthier option, consider substituting half of the sugar with applesauce or using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. You can also use melted coconut oil in place of vegetable shortening for a different flavor profile. If you don't have fresh cranberries, dried cranberries can be used; just reduce the sugar slightly to balance the sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
This Nut Bread - Cranberry Classic is delicious served warm or at room temperature. Pair it with a spread of cream cheese or butter for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. It also makes a delightful addition to a brunch table alongside other baked goods, or enjoy it with a cup of tea. It pairs beautifully with Glazed Peach Cake for a lovely dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, wrap the nut bread tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to keep it moist and flavorful. It can be stored at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the bread, wrapped well, for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Nut Bread - Cranberry Classic contains roughly 419 calories, with 4g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (96% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (37% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1073mg per serving (47% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries in this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries instead of fresh. There's no need to thaw them before adding them to the batter. Just toss them in directly, and they will add a nice tartness to the bread.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum, or add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of gluten-free flour. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
What can I do if my batter is too thick?
If your batter seems too thick, you can add a little more orange juice, about one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Just be cautious not to add too much, as it might affect the bread's final texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).