Cranberry Bread

Our senses of taste and smell are always tantalized during the holidays! Special recipes are shared to spread cheer, goodwill, and gratitude . The recipe I want to share is called "ABC Bread" featuring bright red, juicy, fresh cranberries. You'll have to read below to find out why it is called "ABC"! But there is more to it than just a loaf of bread ~ find out why! I hope you enjoy this recipe and information on beautiful cranberries.

Photo credits thanks to Public Domain Pictures

Almonds, Bananas, & Cranberries ~ The ABC ingredients!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup of chopped almonds (walnuts are good, too)

2 cups of soft mashed bananas

3/4 cup fresh cranberries, chopped

*combined with 1/4 cup orange sections, sliced in small pieces

*fresh is best, but dried ones work great, too, except it will be dryer

1 cup dark brown sugar (pack tightly)

1/2 cup soft butter

2 large eggs

5 cups flour

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 large and 2 small mixing bowls

DIRECTIONS:

~ First, turn your oven on to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

~ Combine the brown sugar and butter in the large mixing bowl until smooth.

~ Gently whisk the eggs separately in a tiny bowl before pouring into the creamed butter and blending.

~ In the third bowl, thoroughly mix the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

~ After placing the flour mixture into the wet mixture, stir well. This will be a very dry mixture, but it becomes more moist after adding the fruit. I have sometimes added extra orange juice to make it more moist.

~ The almonds, mashed bananas, and orange-cranberries should be mixed rapidly after adding.

~ Pour into loaf or cake pans and set in the preheated oven. This batch will make two regular size loaves.

~ Bake for approximately 45-55 minutes.

~ Test for doneness by inserting a fork in the middle of each loaf. When it comes out clean, voila!

~ Carefully take out and cool. Don't forget to turn off your oven. :D

~ The bread is extra delicious warmed in the toaster or oven with butter!

These lovely little loafs will taste delicious on your holiday tables, but how else could this recipe be used?

We remember to first give thanks to the LORD for the gifts He gives us. So, during this season, let's also show gratitude to the ones we love ~ our families, friends, co-workers, teachers, and neighbors.

This ABC Cranberry Bread makes wonderful gifts to show how much you are thankful!

Bake several loafs either in regular size or in mini sized loaf pans. Wrap them with aluminum foil and decorate for gift giving that will truly be appreciated.

How can I decorate them to give a fall theme? It's as easy as ABC! Lots of beautiful ribbons in fall colors are a start! Add a sprig of a fall plant like the plastic ones you can inexpensively find at a craft store. Tie on an apple or cranberry, fall colored leaves, or other fall sprigs with your ribbon. Perhaps tie on an ornament as an early Christmas present.

Add a homemade fall gift tag with words of thanks to the person. Personalize it with a poem or note to them. List what you are specifically thankful to them for whether it is a certain event or time, if it is the everyday things they do, or just being someone who is special in your life.

~ THE BEST PART ~

Share your gratitude gift with a great big hug and tons of love!