Cranberry Pecan Bread with Apple Cider Glaze

The other day I went to the grocery for some food shopping. I got excited when I saw some fresh cranberries already being sold. You see, I love baking with cranberries! I love the tangy flavor it imparts to baked goodies particularly sweet breads and cakes. I got myself a pack and decided that I should make my favorite Cranberry Orange Bread when I get home or at least pretty soon. However, as it sometimes happen, I forgot to buy some oranges. I was frustrated because I was really craving some nutty cranberry bread at that time. What was I to do?

I went to the fridge and saw that I still have a half-gallon or so of Apple Cider that needed to be drank or used. I suddenly had the bright idea of using the apple cider to flavor the bread instead of the usual orange juice. I wasn't sure if it will work as it tastes different from the orange juice, obviously, but I thought it may be worth a try.

I am glad I made this bread - it came out moist with just a hint of Apple Cider and of course, the yummy - sweet-tangy flavors of cranberries were clearly recognizable. Of course, I added some Pecans for good measure! It turned out to be a moist and delicious bread. I know it's a success when even my nut-hating son, William, ate a few slices and told me he really loved the bread. I told him, "there are nuts in that bread." He didn't seem to mind for he truly loved it and made sure that I kept the remaining two slices for his snack tomorrow.

The bread is lovely on its own but if you want to up the flavor a bit more - be sure to drizzle it with the Apple Cider glaze! So perfect with a cup of tea!

Ingredients

2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 cup Sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped Pecans or Walnuts

1 Egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup Apple Cider
3 Tablespoons of melted unsalted Butter (or 3 Tablespoons light-tasting Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil)

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For the Apple Cider Glaze

1 cup confectioner's Sugar (powdered sugar)
2 Tablespoons Apple Cider
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Procedure

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Butter or grease a 9x5 loaf pan. Set aside.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the chopped cranberries and nuts. Stir together the egg, apple cider, melted butter or oil and the vanilla extract.  Pour into the flour mixture. Mix everything just until combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about  50-60 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Leave to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before adding the glaze.

For the Apple Cider Glaze

Place the powdered sugar, apple cider and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Drizzle on top of the loaf. Enjoy with a cup of tea!

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