Good morning friends, I hope that you had a good weekend. Mine was a little rough. My 94 year old mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital a few days ago, she suffered a compression fracture in her back while putting on her socks. Since she went into the hospital things have gone from bad to worse as they say. One day I called to speak with her and she told me she was tired, lonely, missing her late-husband and that she wished Santa would take her home to God this Christmas. I am sorry to be a downer but this is my life right now.
On to the post, cranberry walnut bread made with fresh cranberries and oranges. I think you will love it because it is quick, easy and make two loaves, one to keep and one to share.
Holiday Baking and Fresh Cranberry Walnut Bread
This weekend I spent almost all of my time in the kitchen, I made snowball cookies, rugulach, raspberry thumbprint cookies, Chocolate covered Oreo’s, pumpkin bread, gingerbread and this cranberry walnut bread! I still have a few things left on my list but I am not sure that I will be able to get them all finished and that is ok, there is always New Years.
Why make cranberry walnut quick bread?
Quick breads are the perfect thing to make for the holidays because:
- Easy to make and quick to whip together
- Great gifts for family and friends, and a delicious addition to gift baskets
- perfect for holiday breakfasts, brunches, afternoon tea or to place on your dessert trays
Fresh Cranberry Walnut Quick Bread
Recipe from Finding Zest
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 cups of sugar
31/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1 cup milk, 2%
1/2 cup orange juice
2-3 teaspoons orange zest from 1 medium orange
1/8 cup oil
21/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
11/2 cups walnuts chopped, divided
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350. Prepare two 8 x 4″ loaf pans with cooking spray, then line with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon, mix well and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, milk, orange juice, zest and oil. Add this to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not over-mix the batter or the bread will be tough.
Fold in the cranberries and walnuts.
Pour the batter into the two pans, top with walnuts and chopped cranberries.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from pan and cool on a baking rack.
Enjoy!
NOTE: I added extra chopped nuts and cranberries to the top of the bread and then drizzled it with a powdered sugar glaze. The original recipe is from Finding Zest blog. I followed the recipe exactly and had no issues or problems.
Have you been baking? What types of quick bread have you made? Do you have a “go to” recipe for gingerbread men or a gingerbread loaf cake?
One last thing for the road.
Thank you so much for stopping by today friends, I appreciate you spending part of your day here. You can also find me on Facebook.com/Pineconesandacornsblog, on Instagram @pineconesandacorns, on Pinterest and Twitter!
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Have a great day friends!
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That looks delicious! Will add to my Christmas baking list.
I hope that you enjoy it!
I may have to make this. I didn’t have time to make orange cranberry cookies this year and my husband loves them. This looks quick and easy and there’s no rolling involved.
Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. It’s tough when parents get older.
This is another delicious bread. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful recipes.
Pinned!
Thank you Cindy! Have a wonderful day! What are you baking?
I’m so sorry about your mother-in-law. This time of year is often hard on the elderly. Especially when they miss a loved one. I know you’re baking up a storm!
Brenda
Brenda, thank you for your kindness. It is a very hard time for the elderly, so many are alone and it is so difficult for them. I am so tired from baking, I cannot believe how many times I made in the last 4 days. Have a wonderful week my friend. The new year is going to be amazing for you.
Prayers for your Mother-in-law, you and your family through tough times. I hope you take the time to relax, and take care of your enjoyment if the holidays
Love the snowflake marshmallows and deer mug.
May, thank you! It is so hard to live so far away. I do not want her to suffer. I am very excited because my mother will be here on Monday and I will take the time then to relax and enjoy the family. Have a wonderful holiday.
This bread looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Paula!
Your dear mother-in-law will remain in our thoughts and prayers dear Elizabeth – at her age a back injury must be really difficult to deal with. I can imagine only too well her thoughts, especially at this time of year. God bless her.
I may just give your bread a try as I have a bag of fresh cranberries looking at me from the confines of the fridge!
Take care – you sound way ahead of me in baking – I did make a batch of almond cookies yesterday!
Mary, you need to relax with your back injury. Take care of yourself. I would love the recipe for your almond cookies! Thank you for your thoughts about my mother-in-law, they are appreciated. Have a wonderful week my friend.
https://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-almond-healthy-nut.html
Here’s the link to the older post/recipe for the almond cookies Elizabeth. Be certain to bake long enough so they have a little crispness, but don’t let them get too brown!
Hope so much your MIL is doing better – so hard at her age though and you must be very concerned I know. I’m being careful and will see a neurosurgeon next week! Backs are precious and apparently do wear out, grrrrrr!
Hugs – Mary
Elizabeth, you are in my prayers, as well as your family. My mother is 89, live with us and I am always watching that she stays healthy and happy. I understand how difficult it is for her, it has to be so difficult to see the quality of life change so much for them. Thank you for taking time to do the post, it sounds so delicious. I have never make bread with cranberries and I need to try this. I really love your photos also! So beautiful and festive!
Thank you Melba, it is indeed hard to watch our parents age. My mother in law has been very blessed as she has lived on her own until this past week. The last two years have been very lonely for her because her husband passed and then covid struck. We live across the country from her so it is even more challenging. How wonderful to have your mother live with you! I am sure that she loves being with you.
I hope you try the bread, it is very good and the fresh cranberries make a huge difference.
I am sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for a speedy recovery.
I am so sorry to hear about your MIL. Virtual hugs coming your way today.
Thank you very much, I appreciate it.
I am very sorry.
Thank you William!
Yummy! What a tasty treat to serve, gift or keep!
I make one with pecans but maybe try it with walnuts next time. Cranberry and orange is a favorite combo for me.
Rosemary, I have never made it with pecans! Now I am going to have to try that. Merry Christmas.
Pinning so I can give this a try soon!
Great! I think you will enjoy it, the recipe is delicious.
Elizabeth, I’ve been where you are with my own mother, andI think they really mean it. They’re tired of living with age related restrictions, and they’re ready to go. My best friend’s, since high school, mother died three weeks ago at 99 and a half. She’d been saying the same thing for the last year. I loved her so much.
Thanks for the cranberry recipe!! It’s on my list to make this week. Merry Christmas!
XOXOX,
Brenda
Brenda, aging is not for the faint of heart, especially when you reach the 90’s, you have outlived most of your friends, possibly your spouse and sometimes your children. I am sorry for the lost of your friend, I am sure that it is very difficult, perhaps you will find a bit of solace in the memories that you and your friend share of her mother. She must have been an amazing woman.
Merry Christmas! I am looking forward to reading your book!
Elizabeth, I found your post from the TTA party, and am I glad I did. It looks delish!! I’m going to share your photo and a line to your recipe in my recap post on Saturday. I think my readers will really enjoy it. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jen, I appreciate it! Have a wonderful weekend.
Elizabeth, I’m so sorry to hear about your MIL. That’s so hard, especially at the holidays. Your bread sounds and looks so delicious! Pinning. Merry Christmas!
So sorry to hear about your mother-law. We will keep her in our prays.
Thank you Lillian! Merry Christmas!