Cranberry Scone Bread Recipe Is the Best Way to Welcome Fall (7 Ingredients, High-Protein) by Elisa Schmitz

I love the change of seasons, and fall is my absolute favorite. The crisper days and cooler nights make baking even more appealing. And, cranberries are back! I love cranberry recipes, so I was in the kitchen this weekend baking up this incredible cranberry bread recipe. The consistency is more like a scone than a bread, with a tender crumb that we couldn't get enough of. It's the best way to welcome fall!

Photo credit (all photos): Elisa Schmitz

After enjoying this high-protein cranberry nut loaf recipe, I wanted to try making a sweeter version, still with no added sugar. I accomplished that by using a secret ingredient: mascarpone cheese. Mascarpone is a soft, slightly sweet cheese with a velvety texture that's often described as being similar to an Italian sweet cream cheese. Found in Italian desserts like tiramisu, mascarpone is richer and sweeter than American cream cheese. And, in this recipe, it added just the right level of sweetness to balance the tart cranberries. I like this recipe even better than my savory cranberry nut loaf, and I love that it's a high-protein recipe, too.

In addition to their tangy flavor, cranberries provide antioxidants and may help with gut health, among the other health benefits of cranberries. The optional walnuts have antioxidants and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, among the other health benefits of walnuts. This tasty loaf also incorporates the health benefits of Greek yogurt, which also adds protein (learn about the health benefits of protein).

To make this wholesome loaf, you'll need just seven nourishing ingredients: eggs, mascarpone cheese, plain Greek yogurt, flour (all-purpose or gluten-free flour), baking powder, salt and dried cranberries. The chopped walnuts are optional. You simply mix up the batter then bake until it's cooked through and golden. So easy!

Serve this scone-like bread for breakfast or for brunch with a cup of coffee or tea. It makes the perfect snack any time during the day, or even a lovely dessert, too.

Cuisine: American 
Prep Time: 10 minutes 
Cook Time: 40 to 50 minutes (ovens vary) 
Total Time: 50 to 60 minutes 
Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and mascarpone cheese. Whisk to blend. Add the Greek yogurt and whisk to blend.
   
2. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. Fold in the cranberries, and the walnuts, if using. (You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour.)
   
3. Evenly spread the batter into an 8x4-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
   
4. Bake in an oven that's been preheated to 350 degrees F until bread is cooked through and golden, about 40 to 50 minutes (loaf should pass the toothpick test). If it's getting too brown on top, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
   
5. Allow loaf to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving. Store the bread in an airtight container. This bread is extra delicious when toasted in a toaster oven or regular oven.
   

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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