Why is it things called “loaf” are usually disgusting? Pimento loaf? Olive loaf? <shudder> Those hunks of oddly studded meat at the deli give me the heebie-jeebies. Today I made a loaf of deliciousness that is completely un-gross. Actually, it is exquisite. Beautifully flavored with slightly sweet orange and temptingly tart cranberries, this gorgeous bread is just divine.
My favorite part of this recipe is making the cranberries “pop”. It reminds me of that song from “Music and Lyrics”. Go watch it. You’ll thank me for making you laugh.
Back to the cranberries. You put them in a little orange juice and sprinkle on some sugar, then set them to simmer.
A few minutes later, the cranberries will start popping out of their skins. Or, at least splitting open a little. Once most of them have done their little dance, drain them and set them aside.
Cream butter, sugar and an egg until smooth.
Zest an orange & add the dry ingredients until blended. PS: Do you have a microplane zester? If not, get one…they are ah-mazing.
Gently fold in the popped cranberries.
Pour into a greased/floured loaf pan and bake.
Yum yum yum.
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
zest of 1 orange
2 cups fresh cranberries (1/2 cup orange juice and 2 T sugar)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup orange juice
1.In a saucepan, heat the cranberries in a mixture of orange juice and sugar until they start to pop. Remove from heat and strain. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2.In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and egg until smooth. Stir in orange juice and orange zest. Beat in flour mixture until just moistened. Fold in cranberries. Pour into prepared pan.
3.Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until the bread springs back when lightly touched. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool. Wrap in plastic when completely cool.
Bakerlady 