Cranberry Orange Bread

CookWannaBe's Note:

I made these little bread loaves to give to neighbors this Christmas and thought I would share with you. I started out with a basic cake-type bread recipe and altered it to suit my needs. This bread has a great orange taste; with dried orange-flavored craisins bursting with flavor on the inside.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 10

Yield: 2.0 loaves

• 1 (6 ounce) package orange-flavored craisins , ocean spray brand
• 1⁄3; cup orange juice , pre-made
• 1⁄3; cup whole milk
• 2⁄3; cup vegetable oil
• 1 2⁄3; cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 large eggs
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup nuts (optional)
• 2 teaspoons grated orange peel (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix together Craisins, vegetable oil, sugar, vanilla, milk, orange juice and eggs (& orange peel, if used, at this point) in a large bowl by hand.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended well.
3. Place batter into well-greased loaf pans; dividing equally.
4. Bake in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for approximately 45-60 depending on the size of the pans used. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Do not over-bake.
5. Take out of oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan.
6. Loaves may be wrapped and stored in refrigerator for up to 10-days.
7. Each batch makes two regular bread-pan size loaves OR five mini-loaf pan size (14.5cm x 8.4cm x 4.7cm by handi-foil brand).

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

Made these as mini loaves to see how well they'd do! Well, "they'd do" just fine, & I plan to make some for gifts during the holidays (My gifts are more like gift baskets!) ~ THESE LOAVES ARE GREAT! The nuts & orange zest weren't optional as far as I was concerned, & including them gave this bread an even greater appeal! Thanks for a great recipe! [Tagged, made & reviewed as part of my Bread theme in My-3-Chefs]