Cranberry/Almond Loaf

Every year, The Dairy Farmers of Canada sponsor the printing and distribution of (what Canadians affectionately call) The Milk Calendar. Each page, starting with December of the previous year (in case you missed it), is a beautiful photograph, in colour, of a recipe for the month, and the applicable recipe neatly printed beside the photo. This year (2008), I started in December, because I love to bake "loaves" and this loaf is particularly appealing. Quoting directly, they say: "Moist, studded with fruit and nuts and made in one bowl - what more can you ask? A slice of this sweet loaf is perfect with a cup of tea or cafe latte..." Cooking Tip: *To sour Milk, spoon 2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice or white vinegar into measuring cup; pour in enough Milk to make 1 1/2 cups (375mL). Let it stand for 5 mins. then stir. For the Adventurous: replace half the cranberries with chopped dried apricots and use hazelnuts instead of almonds. Healthy Eating Tip: Don't deprive yourself of delicious baked goods over the holiday season. Forbidden foods will tantalize you all the more. Instead, choose modest-sized servings and savour the flavour. Allergy alert: If there is an aversion to nuts, simply eliminate the nuts and increase cranberries, or add raisins, or other chopped, dried fruit. You will like the combination. Butter substitution: Margarine, Vegetable Oil; Olive Oil: Unsweetened Apple Sauce, in the same measurement

• Ready In: 1 hr 15 mins
• Serves: 10-12
• Yields: 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 3  cups all-purpose flour
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs, beaten
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk, soured (or buttermilk)
• 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
• 1  tablespoon vanilla
• 1  cup dried cranberries
• 1⁄2 cup  toasted almond, chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
2. Butter a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
4. Make a well in the centre and add beaten eggs, Milk, butter and vanilla.
5. Sprinkle with cranberries and almonds; stir just until combined.
6. Spread into prepared pan, smoothing top.
7. Bake for 65 to 75 mins, or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean.
8. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes.
9. Remove from pan and transfer to rack to cool completely.