The Perfect Homemade Gift for the Holiday Season!
When the holiday season arrives, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by thoughts of what to gift, where to find the best deals, and the fear of forgetting someone. While we can’t avoid all the shopping, I’ve discovered a way to make homemade gifts a delightful and stress-free option: food! The Christmas Cranberry Loaf is a beloved treat among my friends and family, and it’s the ideal last-minute goodie. Packed with tangy cranberries and a buttery crumble topping, this loaf is guaranteed to win hearts from the very first bite.
This recipe is delightfully simple. The batter comes together in just one bowl, with only one step that might challenge a novice baker: beating the sugar and eggs. As outlined in the recipe below, this step is essential as it helps the loaves rise beautifully. So be sure not to skip it!
Bake the loaves until they have a lovely golden hue on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you’re concerned about the loaves browning too much before they are fully cooked, you can cover the top with foil. This step is particularly helpful when making one large loaf. Take a moment to let the loaves cool before slicing. I know it’s tempting to dive in right away, but trust me, the texture will be worth the wait. I sincerely hope that you enjoy this delightful holiday treat as much as we do!
Festive Christmas Cranberry Loaf Recipe
Makes 2 loaves | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- ¾ cup butter, at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 (8 oz) bag fresh cranberries
Crumble Topping
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup flour
- ⅓ cup butter
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and generously grease 2 loaf pans. Alternatively, you can make one very large loaf or use a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together for about 5 minutes until the volume of the mixture nearly doubles. This step is crucial!
- Mix in the butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until just combined. Gently fold in the fresh cranberries.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pans.
- In a small bowl, combine all the crumble topping ingredients until the mixture has a sandy texture. Sprinkle it over the loaves.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes for 2 loaves or 60-70 minutes for one large loaf. The loaves are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the loaves to cool before slicing and serving.
Recipe adapted from Barefeetinthekitchen.com
