This Festive Cranberry Bread Loaf Recipe Makes Holidays Merry & Bright (8 Ingredients) Bread/Muffins Holidays Breakfast Brunch Snacks Desserts Fruit Gluten-free

If you ask me, one of the best things about the holidays is all the fresh cranberries. I love cranberry recipes, and one of my current favorites is this amazing fresh cranberry bread recipe. This festive cranberry loaf makes the holidays so merry and bright!

This bread has a tender crumb that reminds me a bit of a scone, which makes it the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea. The moist yet crumbly texture comes from a secret ingredient: mascarpone cheese. Mascarpone is a slightly sweet cheese with a velvety texture that's similar to an Italian sweet cream cheese. Featured in Italian desserts like tiramisu, mascarpone is richer and sweeter than regular cream cheese. I think it (along with the sugar) adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the tangy cranberries.

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

To make this fresh cranberry bread, here are the simple ingredients you'll need to gather: eggs, mascarpone cheese, plain Greek yogurt, sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and fresh cranberries. The chopped walnuts are optional, but highly recommended. Just mix up the batter then bake it until golden. So easy!

Serve this delightful bread for breakfast with a cup of coffee or tea, or as part of a holiday brunch. It makes the perfect daytime snack or even a festive dessert!

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
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar or cane sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour (all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional but recommended)

Recipe Notes

• You can use all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour. I used GF 1:1 flour.

• You can use granulated sugar or cane sugar (I used cane sugar).

• Store the bread in an airtight container. This bread is extra delicious when warmed in the oven.

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and mascarpone cheese. Whisk to blend.
2. Add the Greek yogurt and whisk to blend. Add the sugar and whisk to blend.
3. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well to combine.
4. Fold in the cranberries and the walnuts, if using.
5. Evenly spread the batter into an 8x4-inch loaf pan that's been lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 40 to 50 minutes, or until it passes the toothpick test. (If the loaf is getting too brown on top, you can cover it with aluminum foil.)
7. Allow loaf to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.

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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