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Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 40 reviews

This Simple Christmas Cranberry Bread is a festive and tender quick bread, bursting with fresh cranberries and topped with a crunchy brown sugar streusel. Perfect for holiday breakfasts or as a seasonal treat, this moist loaf combines sweet, tart, and buttery flavors with delightful texture and aroma.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 bag (8 oz) fresh cranberries

Streusel Topping

  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease two loaf pans, or use one large loaf pan or a 9-inch cake pan. This ensures easy removal of the loaves after baking.
  2. Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the eggs and granulated sugar for 5 minutes until the mixture nearly doubles in volume. This step is crucial for a light and tender bread texture.
  3. Add Butter and Extracts: Mix in the softened butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the egg and sugar mixture until smooth and well combined.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Cranberries: Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt just until combined, avoiding overmixing. Carefully fold in the fresh cranberries, reserving some for the topping if desired.
  5. Fill Pans and Add Topping: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and spread smoothly. Sprinkle reserved cranberries on top if set aside.
  6. Make Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, and butter. Use fingers or a fork to mix into a sandy texture. Sprinkle this streusel evenly over the batter, optionally adding a pinch of salt for extra crunch.
  7. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 45-50 minutes for two smaller loaves or 60-70 minutes for one large loaf. Check doneness with a toothpick that should come out clean.
  8. Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pans completely before slicing to achieve the best texture and clean cuts.

Notes

  • Use fresh cranberries for the best tartness and texture.
  • Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to keep the bread tender.
  • The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch, but can be skipped if desired.
  • Room temperature eggs help achieve better volume when beaten with sugar.
  • You can substitute almond extract with additional vanilla if preferred.
  • This bread stores well in an airtight container for 3-4 days or can be frozen for up to one month.

Keywords: Christmas bread, cranberry bread, holiday baking, quick bread, streusel topping, festive bread

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/simple-christmas-cranberry-bread-recipe/