Cranberry-Walnut Bread

Trevor was sick earlier this week, so I used the unexpected day at home to do a variety of chores that I'd been putting off, including defrosting the freezer. (Glamorous life I lead, I know.) As I was cleaning out the freezer, I came across some cranberries. They were left over from the last time I made the amazingly-delicious Frozen Cranberry Treat. Rather than put them back in the freezer, I let them defrost and made one of my favorite quick breads - Cranberry Walnut Bread.

Because I didn't have enough cranberries to make my go-to recipe (which makes two loaves) as written, I improvised. Basically, I halved all of the structural ingredients (flour, egg, leavening, etc) but only reduced the quantity of mix-ins (cranberries, nuts, lemon zest) slightly, or not at all. I made a few other slight changes and the resulting bread was perfect. This is my go-to version from now on.

Cranberry Walnut Bread

                                       1.5 c. flour                                                       1/3 c. oil
                                       1 c. sugar                                                         2 tsp. lemon zest                        

                                       1/2 tsp. salt                                                     1 tsp. vanilla  
                                       2 tsp. baking powder                                     1/3 c. chopped walnuts        

                                       2 eggs                                                               1.5 c. cranberries, chopped
                                      1/4 c. milk                                                                                    

                             

Grease the bottom only of a 9x5x3 pan. Combine dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in cranberries and walnuts. Pour the batter into the pan and bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center tests done. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then use a knife to loosen the sides. Turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely.