Cranberry Apricot Bread
When I was growing up, I used to watch my Mom bake Christmas gifts for her friends. She would put together a treat basket that included a loaf of gingerbread, a slab of homemade fudge, haystacks (delicious butterscotch candy that I’ll share soon), and a loaf of this cranberry apricot bread. I think she included this bread because all of the other goodies are brown and this colorful loaf brightened up the whole basket. She would line up the sweets on the counter, and then daintily place them in pretty cellophane bags before tying a shiny ribbon on each one. My Dad and I would hang around the kitchen vying for scraps and tiny bites of fudge that wouldn’t fit in the bags.
Fast forward 10 years, and I found myself doing the same thing for my friends in college—same recipes and same cellophane bags with ribbon. I guess the saying is true: like mother, like daughter. To this day, we’re both the dedicated birthday cake bakers for our coworkers.
My Mom credits my love of cooking to the fact that when I was very little, she used to put me in my car seat and set me up on the counter every night so I could watch her cook dinner.
I still like to watch her cook. I have to smile when I see how anxious she gets when someone tries to step in and help. Again, I’m the same way: I like to cook for people, not with them. This year, my Mom made the majority of Thanksgiving dinner before I arrived home, so I didn’t get a chance to tell her to save 1/4 cup of fresh cranberries for this bread before she made the cranberry sauce. If you don’t have any leftover fresh cranberries, feel free to subsitute dried ones.
I hope y’all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did. Now, it’s holiday baking season—get to it!
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries, chopped
- ¼ cup dried apricots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped (optional)
- 1 lare egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- ¼ teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- Preheat the oven to 350, and grease a mini loaf pan (5″ x 3″ x2″) with shortening.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and baking powder. Add the chopped fruit (and nuts, if using) and stir to coat with the flour.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, melted butter and lemon zest. Pour this over the dry mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain (but be careful not to overmix).
- Scrape into the loaf pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool in the loaf pan for 5 minutes before gently tipping it out on a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with butter.
I’d love a loaf of this bread during the holidays, it’s such a lovely combination of flavours!
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these sound so good! if i don’t have a loaf pan do you think muffins would work OK? obviously adjusting the time and everything…
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I love fresh cranberries in baked goods. They give it such a nice tart “pop” that you just don’t get with dried. I think I’m going the homemade baked goods route this year for friends and family. It’s so much easier than trying to figure out gifts. Everyone likes to eat!
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I love the sound of this. I’m a fan of anything cranberry in breads, muffins, you name it! I can’t wait to holiday bake
I’ve already started and I have so many ideas! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving <3
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This is so bright and pretty!! My mom always made a cranberry orange bread that I just loved. I think I’d love this one too!!
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This looks so yummy! I think I may have to adapt your bread gift-giving ways. So fun!
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So colorful! Love using mini loaf pans!
Happy belated Thanksgiving to you, my dear!
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That bread is the cutest darn thing I’ve ever seen. Love that you put apricots and cranberries together. ‘Tis the season for BAKING!
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I have GOT to remember to stock up on fresh cranberries now and freeze them. Ain’t nothin’ like the real thang, babyyyy. Ain’t nothin’ like the reaaal thang….
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I love that your mom would pack up goodies for friends around the holidays, and now you are following in her footsteps
I like doing stuff like that too … and just like you, I get it from my mom.
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Yum, this bread sounds so bright and delicious. I’d love to be gifted a loaf or 3
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I prefer solo cooking too. I thought it was a dirty little secret and am relived to know I am not alone. GREG
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The only tasks i’ll allow people to preform while im cooking is chopping veggies or washing dishes. Your tantalizing mini loaf posts has really talked me into getting a mini loaf pan. Easy portion control and delicious recipes from dessert for two, what could be better?
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What a pretty loaf!
This is the first year that I’m sending out some food gifts to friends but I’m very excited about it. I feel like it will be such a nice surprise!
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this looks delish! I love apricots..and cranberries. And have a bag to use up!
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so stinkin’ cute. love it. love you.
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What a wonderful gift! There is something therapeutic about working in the kitchen alone. I totally get in my own little world and everybody better stay out!
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My aunt used to make basket like your mom did every year. How we waited for our baket to arrive, my mom on the other hand made TONS of tamales to hand out, lol the best of both worlds. Thanks for sharing, love holiday baking!
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Getting homemade gifts made with love and care like this is always the best kind of gift.
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this sounds amazing! i’ve never thought of putting cranberries with apricots… i know i would love this! and mini loafs are the cutest things ever
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Cranberries & Apricots sound like a great combination, I love Christmas goodies.
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This sounds really yummy. Is the texture dense like a pumpkin bread, or more airy like a bread that you’d let rise? I’m trying to figure out if it’s more of a dessert or a snack/side bread!
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i just love fruit studded breads during the holidays! now to find some good cranberries and replicate this!
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At first glance of the picture I was struck with how bright and colorful it was. It’s a great addition to a treat bag and perfect with a hot beverage.
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Christina, I loved reading about your food history and that was so cute, imagining you sitting on the counter in your car seat!
Holiday breads are such a nice alternative to the other sweet stuff — although I’m looking forward to more of your goodies in the coming weeks… Thanks for a heartwarming post!
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This is indeed a bright and beautiful loaf to brighten up a basket of Christmas baked goods. Your mom knew what she was doing!
This all sounds so familiar–and I love the part about your mom getting a little nervous when others would “step in to help”! I loved watching my mom cook, too. Lovely recipe and lovely blog you have here.
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Love it
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This looks wonderful. Thanks Christina for sharing your delicious recipes. I also saw the scrumptious thanksgiving dessert, absolutely AWESOME!
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Huge hit at home this weekend! I needed enough for more than 2 people, so I tripled the recipe; it turned out perfect!
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looks wonderful
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