Cranberry-Orange Pecan Bread

Crunchy toasted pecans and Angostura Orange Bitters complement tangy cranberries in this easy, yummy holiday quick bread.  My Orange-Laced Frosting here makes a fancier quick bread.  For holiday gifts, I’m going to try this recipe using two smaller, 3 x 5-3/4″ loaf pans (perhaps three smaller pans – tbd).  Of course, the bake time will be shorter; I’m thinking 35 minutes. Will keep you posted.

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Cranberry-Orange Pecan Bread

Makes one 9 x 5-inch quick bread    Prep time 15 minutes    Cook time 50-60 minutes

1          rounded cup fresh or frozen cranberries (about 4-1/2 oz.)
2          cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1          cup sugar
1          tsp. baking powder
1/2       tsp. salt
1/4       tsp. baking soda
3/4       cup toasted pecans or walnuts, coarsely chopped
1           large egg
2/3      cup low-fat buttermilk
6          Tbsp. butter, melted
2          Tbsp. orange zest
1/3       cup orange juice
2          tsp. Angostura® Orange Bitters
1/2       tsp. vanilla extract

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

If using frozen cranberries, spread berries out on a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes or so. Then cut large cranberries in half. To measure flour, spoon into dry measuring cup and level with a knife. Combine flour with remaining dry ingredients in a large bowl, blending thoroughly with a whisk. Stir in cranberries.

Whisk remaining ingredients in a smaller bowl. Add to dry ingredients and stir gently until fully moistened; do not over mix. Spoon batter into pan and smooth out top. Bake 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let rest in pan 10 minutes then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing – at least 1 hour.

Nutrition per serving (14) without frosting: 225 calories, 3.4g protein, 31.2g carb, 9.8g fat (3.7 g sat fat), 28.4mg chol, 202.5mg sodium, 1.5g fiber

Orange-Laced Frosting
1-1/2     cups powdered sugar
4           Tbsp. butter, softened
2           tsp. orange zest (optional)
1            Tbsp. orange juice
1            tsp. Angostura Orange Bitters

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, stir together all ingredients until smooth. If needed, warm up in microwave to soften (medium power for 10+ seconds). If frosting is too thick, stir in more orange juice, a teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency. Drizzle frosting over nut bread. Frosting will firm up a bit on the bread.

Recipes and photo by Rita Held for Angostura USA