Cranberry Nut Bread

I am not usually a fan of recipes from manufacturers (Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Recipe? Not a fan). Although, I do use the Krusteaz Quick Bread Mixes (Cranberry, Lemon Poppyseed etc...) Go figure.

But when I could not find a box mix for Cranberry Bread I tried this Ocean Spray recipe. And I love it. I was worried at first since it calls for fresh cranberries which are pretty tart and a lot of them, but the bread is sweetened with sugar and orange juice which balance any overwhelming tartness. Orange zest gives it a fresh taste that no box can compete with.

Cranberry Nut Bread

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 tablespoons shortening
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 cups whole (fresh or frozen) cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.

Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Stir in orange juice, orange peel, shortening and egg. Mix until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts. **Eyeball how much of the cranberries you want in the bread- I did not put in the full amount- maybe just one cup. Spread evenly in loaf pan.

Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely. Wrap and store overnight. Makes 1 loaf (16 slices).