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fresh cranberry brown-sugar bread

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cranberry bread

This weekend was the annual Middleburg Christmas Parade. This was our fourth year participating (in as many years as we’ve lived here) and it’s already become a Christmas tradition. Our school has a float in the parade each year; we’re always riding in it or walking behind it, tossing candy to the crowd. It’s great fun – I already can’t imagine Christmas without it!

We were the very last float in the parade this year so it was tough to get many pictures (we essentially missed the entire parade). But we did see a few go by as they were heading to get in line. This was one of my favorites:

middleburg christmas parade

The horses are gorgeous, aren’t they?!

My niece came to visit over the weekend so we were lucky to be able to bring her along. The girls had a great time on the float:

middleburg christmas parade

Any guesses as to what our school mascot is? ;-)

Even though we were last, don’t feel too sorry for us – this was our view while we were waiting:

middleburg christmas parade

That’s Beth, on the right, hanging off the truck that was pulling our float. She’s always got a smile on!

middleburg christmas parade

middleburg christmas parade

middleburg christmas parade

middleburg christmas parade

Did you notice Santa in his sleigh? Turns out he ended up bringing up the rear so we weren’t the very last after all. Do you see now why I love where I live so much? It’s beautiful and filled with such great people.

All that parading around left us hungry. Thankfully we had some of this fresh cranberry brown-sugar bread left for us. It’s really, really good. Especially if you make a grilled cheese using slices of brie! { <——- Seriously…do that} It’s a quick bread – and there’s a reason they’re called “quick”. Mix up the batter, toss in the cranberries and bake. Couldn’t be easier. The brown sugar sprinkled on the top is a must. It will be your favorite part for sure.

fresh cranberry brown sugar bread

I like to wrap some parchment paper around it and add a ribbon for Christmas gifts, too. I hear Santa likes it, too :-)

[print_this]

Fresh Cranberry Brown Sugar Bread

  • 4 T butter, melted and cooled (unsalted)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar, divided
  • 1 1/2 t baking powder
  • 1/2 t baking soda
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Mix flour, 1 cup brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Combine butter, egg, and milk in another bowl. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir just until combined. Fold in cranberries.
  3. Pour batter into loaf pan and sprinkle top with remaining brown sugar. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let bread cool 15-20 minutes. Invert onto rack, then immediately turn right side up to cool completely.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. I saw this in my reader right as I was leaving for the day…couldn’t wait to get back to read and drool. But NONE of the pictures are loading for me, in Reader or on your post. I think I might cry :*(

    Reply

  5. Okay. I posted my last comment and THEN all the pictures loaded. Wth?? Anyway, whew. All is right with the world now ;-) And yes, I can totally see why you love where you live!

    Reply

  10. Love this recipe! I am going to try to make something similar this weekend but would like to use bread flour. Do you think it would change the recipe?

    Reply

    • Jenne – I don’t think bread flour would give you the same results. Bread flour is used for yeast breads and I think the texture of this bread won’t be the same if you use it. But, having said that, you can always give it a try and see what happens :-)

      Reply

  11. Hey there, this recipe looks great and I have everything on hand now…except whole milk. I have 1%…do you think the texture would be the same?
    Thanks in advance!
    Priscilla

    Reply

  12. You know, I have meant to go to the Middleburg Christmas parade the last three years but didn’t make it. It’s on my resolution list for next year! The cranberry bread looks yummy!

    Reply

    • You would love it, Andrea! It’s such an awesome parade. It’s CRAZY though – plan on getting there really early or you’ll never find parking. They have shuttles that can bring you in but the line just to board a shuttle was about 7 blocks long. Luckily we had great parking because we’re on the float.

      Reply

  13. I can never have enough cranberry recipes! And they’re always so tasty when they’re baked. Great recipes, great pictures, great post. Plus a really fun read. ;-) Thanks.

    Reply

  14. I think gifting quick bread is always wonderful. People always seem to enjoy them. And this one seems wonderful to gift during the holidays!

    Reply

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