Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

'Tis the season for baking... and pumpkins! Hot on the heels of my Pumpkin Soup Recipe comes Pumpkin Cranberry Bread. Now, as much as I love pumpkin, you may be overdoing it if you serve Pumpkin Cranberry Bread with Pumpkin Soup. But this delicious homemade bread is excellent for breakfast or lunch, and also makes a tasty holiday appetizer. You may also want to give Pumpkin Cranberry Bread as gifts to your kids' teachers, your mail carrier, or to anyone else that deserves some sweetness in their life.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Cranberry Bread:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 T. pumpkin pie spice
2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 3/4 c. pumpkin (1 15 oz. can)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. dried cranberries


Directions for Pumpkin Cranberry Bread:

Combine flour, spice, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and set aside
Combine sugar, eggs, pumpkin and vegetable oil - stir well in a large mixing bowl
Stir in dry ingredients with pumpkin mixture
Fold in cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Prepare two 9X5 inch loaf pans with baking spray and then lightly floured
Spoon Pumpkin Cranberry Bread mixture into two pans

Bake for 1 hour.
Remove and allow loaves to cool at least 20 minutes before slicing. I have to tell you, the photo above is my actual oven and I am literally smelling the Pumpkin Cranberry Bread baking as I am typing up this post. My kids keep coming in and asking me if it is done yet!

Pumpkin Cranberry Bread is an obvious choice for Thanksgiving. Children literally eat it up with the delicious holiday pumpkin and cranberry flavors. We enjoy Pumpkin Cranberry Bread all fall and into the winter. It is so easy that kids can help in the kitchen. No mixer is required!

How about another pumpkin bread variation? Here is an easy step-by-step video to enjoy:



Maybe you love cranberries, but not pumpkin recipes? OK, then - you asked and I will answer. Here is another video for cranberry walnut muffins:



I have one small confession to make. This afternoon, I couldn't decide between making Pumpkin Cranberry Bread or homemade Zucchini Bread. I use both recipes often, but ultimately, the ease of Pumpkin Cranberry Bread won out over the idea of grating zucchini. Then again.... I do have four able-bodied children to help with that task. So, stay tuned for my next kitchen post! Happy Holiday Baking!