"It is well to remember that the entire population of the universe, with one trifling exception, is composed of others." A.Holmes

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Valentine's Day Cranberry Bread

~I took this picture around midnight while the loaves of cranberry nut bread were still hot. I haven't been feeling good and should have been resting but I HAD to bake! Blame it on NOBLE PIG and her recipe for Hungry Housewife's Banana Bread, 2/11/09. I so wanted to make and eat that banana bread, but alas, I have everything but ripe bananas and the supermarket had no ripe bananas, even ones hiding in the back of the produce section. So I bought bananas that should be ripe enough next week to make this fantastic looking and sounding bread. ~However, I did have some fantastic ingredients for cranberry bread. Not just any cranberries either, I had the cranberries left over from my home made cranberry liqueur. Chopped cranberries that have soaked in vodka and a few other ingredients for over 2 months!Cranberries soaked in citrus peel and vodka...now wouldn't it be a waste to throw those out to the chickens ? ( The chickens might disagree ) The picture above shows the freshly drained and bottled cranberry liqueur, along side the cranberries and the loaves of very tasty bread!I wish you could see how beautiful the rich red cranberry liqueur is when the sun shines through it. ~The liqueur was made to give as gifts along with a recipe for cake that requires the liqueur, however Barb, a friend, suggested the liqueur would be very good drizzled over cheesecake ! Sounds delicious Barb!
Cranberry Nut Bread ( loosely based on Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook recipe)
2 cups sifted all purpose flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon soda 1 beaten egg ( farm fresh is best ! ) 1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange peel 3 / 4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice 2 Tablespoons oil 1 cup chopped and vodka soaked cranberries ( drained ) O.K., chopped fresh cranberries if you must 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped walnuts Sift together dry ingredients. Combine egg,peels, oil and juice, add to the dry ingredients stirring til moistened. Fold in the nuts and cranberries. Bake in a 9X5X3 " loaf pan , 350 degrees for an hour or until done. Remove from the pan, cool wrap and store at least a day before eating. ( You can cheat though, just one buttered slice before putting it away for a day.) I made this cranberry bread in December and it was very, very good. It is so pretty and with the red cranberries throughout and drizzled on top, it makes a good quick bread for Valentine's Day. Interested in making cranberry liqueur ? Click here: Home made Cranberry Liqueur Blessings : abundant food, friends and family to share it with

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

The bread looks delicious. I can just imagine how good this smells baking. What a perfect treat for Valentine's Day. Hope you feel better soon and I wish you and yours a happy Valentine's Day Kathy.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

OMYGOSH! I haven't even had coffee or tea yet and see this beautiful cranberry bread...fair makes my mouth water! I'm making some today and thanks, Kathy. Happy V-Day to you and yours.

Anonymous said...

Yummy!

Shelley said...

This sounds really good! What's funny is I just ordered my favorite bread - cranberry pecan from Zingermans.

DraftCrossFool said...

Ooh, sounds wonderful! Cranberries and orange go so well together, too. Wish this blog had Smell-o-vision! Taste-o-vision, too! :)

LindaSue said...

well YUM! nothing as yummy as a little liquor and cranberries and oranges - and liquor - not that I would know - tee hee hee - beautiful and inspiring (as she goes to dig around in pantry!)

Jennifer said...

That bread is beautiful and looks delicious too! Happy Valentine's Day to you.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness those cranberries sound to die for. Wow...now I have to make this bread. Midnight? Sheesh you sound like me!

Jo said...

Kathy, I love coming to your blog. I am always hungry when I come over here, and you always have something fabulous cooking! *heh*

I haven't had much time to visit my favorite bloggers lately. I'm going to make this bread this weekend. Yum!

Happy Valentine's day to you and Hubby!

Cheers,
Jo

Anonymous said...

Your cranberry bread looks delicious! Thank you for your comment today. I had to laugh at your remark about Miss Marple pushing your fingers off the keyboard. I have the SAME problem quite often! My cats have a healthy sense of self-importance and do not think the computer is worthy of my attention when they want cuddles! I'll try not to let Rosamunde nag me too much. She does remind me every day in her own quiet way that I need to get on with my sewing tasks!

Connie said...

Kathy, your bread sounds delicious and looks so pretty and perfect for Valentine's Day. Hope you have a good weekend. :)

KathyB. said...

Mildred, thank-you for the Valentine's wish and the bread is delicious!

Thistle Cove Farm, hope you had your coffee while you enjoyed your beautiful day, loved your blog today. ( yesterday ?)

Amy, yes!

Shellmo, cranberry PECAN ! I think I'll need to bake some of that too.

DraftCrossFool, oranges and cranberries, a combination I love all year long!

LindaSue, our friend Barb ate her cranberry bread slathered in butter, microwaved to heat, then drizzled the liqueur on top, now that sounds like a good use of good liqueur!

Shiloh Prairie Farm,Happy Valentines day to you and all your little goat kids!

Noble Pig....yes!

Jo, I saved a slice for you ! Come on down to WA for a slice with some good coffee and company!

Miss Linda, I think your cats are beautiful, and am amazed at how white you manage to keep everything even with dark haired, long haired cats!I am constantly washing my furniture covers because the cats do demand their cuddle time!Does Rosamunde help with this chore ?

Daisy, I hope you are able to have a good weekend and your Mother is recovering!Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Lanny said...

Cranberry bread sounds way better than a bunch of tipsy chickens.