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 ¼ 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! This delicious homemade bread is packed full of fruity flavor.
Cranberry Apricot Bread
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 131Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Cranberries & Apricots sound like a great combination, I love Christmas goodies.
Andrea says
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!
Let Me Eat Cake says
i just love fruit studded breads during the holidays! now to find some good cranberries and replicate this!
Sandra says
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.
Kimby says
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!
Jane says
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.
Feast on the Cheap says
Love it
Mari says
This looks wonderful. Thanks Christina for sharing your delicious recipes. I also saw the scrumptious thanksgiving dessert, absolutely AWESOME!
Coro says
Huge hit at home this weekend! I needed enough for more than 2 people, so I tripled the recipe; it turned out perfect!
Diane {Created by Diane} says
looks wonderful