A delicious bread filled with the flavors and scents of the season, Fresh Cranberry and Orange Zest Holiday Loaf is perfect for any party or giving as a gift.

Filled with fresh cranberries, the loaves sparkle like jewels, filling your home with the fragrance of Christmas.

Fresh Cranberry and Orange Zest Holiday Loaf

Ingredients

5 cups flour
2 cups sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
10 tablespoons butter, melted
2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
1 1/2 cups walnuts (or nut of choice), coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350-degrees. Butter 2 9″ loaf pans or decorative baking mold.

In a bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, butter, orange zest, and vanilla.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the cranberries and nuts.

Divide the mixture equally between pans.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool in the pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from the baking pans and continue cooling completely on wire racks.

Yield: 2 loaves