Cranberry Orange Bread

This is an adaptation of my own. The addition of the molasses gives the bread a nice color and adds to the moisture.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 1 Loaf

Ingredients

• 2  cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 2  tablespoons  grated  orange rind
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 cup  orange juice
• 4  tablespoons  melted butter
• 1  tablespoon hot water
• 3  tablespoons molasses
• 1 1⁄2 cups fresh cranberries (cut in half if fresh) or 1 1⁄2 cups frozen cranberries (cut in half if fresh)
• 3⁄4 cup walnut pieces
•  additional sugar, for sprinkling top

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease loaf pan very well (cooking spray works best).
3. Sift the first 6 dry ingredients in a large bowl.
4. In a smaller bowl combine the next 6 'wet' ingredients.
5. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients to incorporate.
6. Then fold in the cranberries and nuts.
7. The dough should be fairly stiff but not dry.
8. If it is too dry, add another tablespoon of water.
9. Turn into loaf pan and spread evenly.
10. Sprinkle top of loaf with sugar to coat.
11. Bake at 350°F for about 50 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
12. When done, turn immediately out onto cooling rack.
13. Allow to cool about an hour before cutting.
14. Terrific warm with butter!