Ocean Spray Cranberry Bread Recipe: A Delightful Holiday Treat

The aroma of warm cranberry bread baking in the oven is synonymous with cozy holidays and comforting gatherings. This recipe uses the iconic Ocean Spray cranberries to deliver a moist, tangy, and intensely flavorful bread that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. Let's dive into creating this festive treat!

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe yields one loaf of delicious cranberry bread. Adjust quantities as needed for larger batches.

• Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar

• Wet Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup Ocean Spray whole berry cranberry sauce (or fresh cranberries, see notes below)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar - let sit for 5 minutes)

• Mix-ins:

  • 1 cup dried cranberries (Ocean Spray, naturally!) Optional: Toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Thoroughly combining the dry ingredients is crucial for even baking.

3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, cranberry sauce, and vanilla extract.

4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough bread.

5. Fold in Cranberries: Gently fold in the dried cranberries (and nuts, if using).

6. Add Buttermilk: Stir in the buttermilk until just combined. Again, avoid overmixing.

7. Pour and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the bread to set properly and prevents it from becoming soggy.

Tips and Variations:

• Fresh Cranberries: If using fresh cranberries instead of cranberry sauce, toss them with 2 tablespoons of sugar before adding them to the batter. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
• Citrus Zest: Add the zest of one orange or lemon for an extra burst of flavor.
• Spices: Experiment with different spice combinations. A dash of allspice or ginger can add interesting notes.
• Glaze: Once cooled, drizzle a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice over the top for extra sweetness.

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Conclusion:

This Ocean Spray Cranberry Bread recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Its simple ingredients and straightforward instructions make it accessible to bakers of all skill levels. Enjoy the process and the delicious results! Remember to share your baking creations using #OceanSprayCranberryBread on social media!