Cranberry Pecan Bread – Bread Gifts

The Holidays are such a lovely time to bake and share homemade goodies with friends and loved ones. I love to give homemade bread during the Holidays. Giving a gift of homemade bread is a wonderful way to show you care without breaking your budget, especially given these trying economic times.

The countdown is on ….

So, to get you started baking this season, here is a recipe for a delicious and easy Cranberry Pecan Bread.  This beautiful yeasted bread would make a lovely gift.

Cranberry Pecan Bread

Makes:1 loaf

Ingredients:
4 to 4-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons non-fat dry milk
2 envelopes RapidRise Yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/4 cups + 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 (3.5-ounce) package sweetened dried cranberries
3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, dry milk, undissolved yeast, and salt. Heat water and butter until very warm (120o to 130oF).  Add to flour mixture.  Beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.

Stir in cranberries, pecans, and enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. I started out using the mixer but switched to the Danish dough whisk.

Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

Roll dough to 12 x 8-inch rectangle. Beginning from short end, roll up tightly as for jelly roll.

Pinch seam and ends to seal.  Place, seam side down, in greased 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.  Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 375°F for 35 to 45 minutes or until done. My oven is very hot so I baked it at 350 instead. Remove from pan; cool on wire rack.

You might want to make two of these – one for yourself and the other one to give away.

 

Here are some other Bread Gift ideas you might enjoy:

• Quick breads make wonderful gifts 
• Check out the homemade gifts of bread section for more ideas.

 

Happy Baking!
Cathy