Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread

Hello! I grew up with a Mom who baked everything … bread, buns, cookies, pies. We never had any store-bought baked goods in our house. Working full-time outside the house, Mom spent weekends baking and freezing goodies for the upcoming camping trip or Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. It seemed to me that our freezer had a special section that was reserved for shoeboxes filled with sweets and her hard work. I remember sneaking into the freezer and slowly chipping away at a particular shoebox … filled with butter tarts. My Mom was not happy when she pulled out a shoebox that was left with a few crumbs and the layers of wax paper! I have to say … I haven’t really enjoyed a butter tart since!

I find myself doing this same prep, especially for Christmas. In November I start to bake for the freezer. It’s probably one of my favorite things to do. I have my favorites, which I’m sharing with all you Chickens. And this orange-chip cranberry bread is now a treasured recipe that is added to my Christmas repertoire.

This Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread, from Donna Smith of Fairport, New York, is the taste of Christmas! All of my favorite Christmas flavors in one bread that is perfect for a continental breakfast by the Christmas tree. And, you don’t even have to pull out the mixer!

Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups chopped fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed
1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
¾ cups confectioners’ sugar, optional
2 tablespoons orange juice, optional

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine eggs, oil and orange peel; mix well. Add to dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk. Fold in cranberries, chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour into two greased 8”x4”x2” loaf pans. Bake at 350F for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

If glaze is desired, combine confectioners’ sugar and orange juice until smooth; spread over cooled loaves.

Like I said, these are my favorite Christmas flavors … who could resist cranberries, orange and chocolate all mixed together with the crunch of a good walnut. This bread is absolutely packed with flavor. I chose not to add the glaze. The bread was sweet enough without. Enjoy!