This quick bread is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving spread. It's my Mom's Cranberry Walnut Bread. It is a no knead bread recipe and has a great balance of sweet and tart flavors with a touch of citrus and the addition of cranberries and walnuts.
Each family has their holiday staples, and this is one of mine. This bread filled with cranberries and walnuts and I love to add a slathering of butter on top. It has a great outer crust and it's filled with cranberries and walnuts on the inside. Some years I think I savor it more than the turkey itself.
It is a classic quick bread and very easy to make and Fall is really the best time of year to make this it because the cranberries, oranges and walnuts are all in season.
Ingredients for Cranberry Walnut Bread
- Dry ingredients: Flour, white sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Wet ingredients: Eggs, orange juice, orange zest, and melted unsalted butter.
- Berries: either fresh or frozen.
Can I Make Cranberry Bread Without Walnuts?
Yes. The walnuts add crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs well with the tart cranberries, but they can be omitted if you prefer. Pecans can also be substituted for the walnuts. I like adding walnuts but that is a personal preference and is not a strict tradition.
How to Cut Fresh Cranberries
When it comes to cutting fresh cranberries, the process can be a bit tricky due to their round shape and tendency to roll around. However, there are a few effective methods to tackle this task.
By hand
- Place a few cranberries at a time on a cutting board and carefully slice them in half.
- Tip: you can freeze the cranberries for about 30 minutes to an hour before cutting, which can make them firmer and easier to handle.
Food processor
- Pulse the cranberries briefly in small batches until roughly chopped. Avoid over-processing them or they can become crushed and watery.
How to Make Cranberry Walnut Bread
- Once you've got all your cranberries set aside, sift the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and very gently fold it all together. This will take some muscle and I have broken a wooden spoon or two doing this. But the key is to not overmix!
- Pour the (very thick) batter into a 9x5-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper that is overlapping the sides like pictured below. This will be used as 'handles' to lift the bread out.
- Bake it in the oven for approximately 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Tips for Making Cranberry Walnut Bread
- Prep in Advance: Assemble and measure all your ingredients before starting. This helps streamline the process.
- Don't Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can make the bread tough.
- Frozen Cranberries: If fresh cranberries are not available, you can use frozen cranberries. There's no need to thaw them; add them directly to the batter.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter bread, you can increase the sugar slightly. Taste the batter to determine your preferred level of sweetness.
- Experiment with Nuts: If you're not a fan of walnuts, you can substitute them with pecans or omit them altogether.
- Parchment Paper Handles: Line your loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. This creates handles that make it easy to lift the bread out after baking, reducing the risk of sticking or breaking.
Other Holiday-Inspired Recipes
- Classic Turkey Gravy from Drippings: Elevate your Thanksgiving turkey with this classic turkey gravy made from pan drippings, ensuring a rich and savory sauce.
- Crockpot Turkey Breast: Uncover the secret to succulent and hassle-free turkey breast preparation by slow-cooking in a crockpot, a game-changer for your holiday meal.
- Easy Slow Cooker Stuffing: Simplify your Thanksgiving cooking with easy slow cooker stuffing, allowing you to focus on other delectable dishes while this flavorful side dish takes care of itself.
- Sweet Potato Casserole : Delight in a sweet potato casserole recipe that emphasizes the natural sweetness of this classic side dish without the marshmallow topping.
- Classic Pumpkin Roll: Embrace the holiday season with a classic pumpkin roll, but one that's a little less sweet.
Mom's Cranberry Walnut Bread
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
- Yield: 1 loaf 1x
Description
A classic cranberry walnut quick bread made with fresh cranberries, walnuts and a touch of orange.
Ingredients
- Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup orange juice
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Other Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh cranberries, halved or roughly chopped
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and/or line it with parchment paper.
- Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Stir in the orange juice, orange zest and melted butter.
- Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and gently mix with a sturdy rubber spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the cranberries and chopped walnuts.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared 9x5-inch loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool before removing it from the pan and slicing. Serve as-is or with butter or cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
MOM'S CRANBERRY WALNUT BREAD RECIPE
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Can you use dried cranberries?
Yes, dried cranberries should work! I’d use ¾ cup in place of the 1 cup fresh cranberries. For a softer texture, soak them in warm water for 10–15 minutes, then drain well before adding. Sweetened dried cranberries will give you a sweeter, less tart result than fresh. Another reader has enjoyed this recipe with Craisins, too!