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I found this incredible cranberry bread last holiday season and it's won everyone over since then. The mix of moist cake with zingy cranberries makes such a delightful festive snack. The game-changer? A dash of fizzy blood orange beverage that turns this simple loaf into something really special. It's just right for lazy holiday breakfasts or afternoon snacks during the winter months.
The Fizzy Secret That Makes This Shine
I learned that using San Pellegrino's Aranciata Rossa creates an amazing texture in this bread. The bubbles do wonders by making a light, fluffy crumb while the blood orange taste works great with sour cranberries. And guess what? You probably already have most other stuff in your cupboard right now so you can whip this up whenever you feel like something sweet.
Ingredients You'll Want Ready
- Frozen Cranberries: Go for berries that were frozen while fresh for the filling and top layer, giving you that bright, tangy kick.
- Sparkling Drink: Pick a citrusy fizzy drink like San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa to get that fluffy, damp texture.
- Almond Milk: Brings a light richness to your batter, evening out the citrus and cranberry flavors.
- Overripe Banana: Adds natural sweetness and works to hold everything together.
Baking Instructions For You
- Get Everything Ready
- Heat your oven to 350°F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together. Squish half a banana and stir it with your fizzy drink, almond milk, and cranberry pie filling.
- Cook Your Loaf
- Oil a loaf pan and pour in your mixture, giving it a few taps to get rid of bubbles. Bake around 35 minutes and check it's done by poking with a knife.
- Let It Rest and Add Topping
- Let your bread cool on a rack for an hour. Make icing by mixing powdered sugar, fizzy drink, orange zest, and pumpkin spice, then drizzle it over your cooled bread.
Storage Tips
This bread stays super moist when you wrap it in parchment and stick it in a zip-lock bag. Store it in your fridge and it'll be good for two weeks though at my place it's gone way before that! You can even stick it in the freezer for up to three months which is great for planning ahead. When you want some, just warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. I love leftover slices warmed up with some vanilla ice cream or extra cranberry filling on top.
A Treat For Any Occasion
This bread works for so many situations. It's fancy enough for holiday parties but simple enough for just sitting around at home. The recipe is so easy that my kid helps me make it. We always brew coffee or tea to go with it perfect when neighbors drop by during the holidays.
Create Your Own Twist
Feel free to switch things up with this bread. I sometimes use other bubbly fruit drinks instead of blood orange and my friends who love nuts can't get enough when I throw in some chopped pecans or walnuts. For fancy times I serve it with homemade whipped cream or vanilla custard. My top choice? A warm piece with my quick cranberry sauce on top the hot bread with cool tart topping is just amazing.
More Than Just A Seasonal Treat
The thing that makes this bread stand out is how everyday ingredients come together in such a surprising way. The sour cranberries match perfectly with the sweet banana while the fizzy citrus adds such a nice zing. I've given this recipe to lots of friends who weren't confident bakers and they all made it great. It's that easy!
Kitchen Moments To Treasure
Seeing my family light up when this cranberry bread comes out of the oven makes me so happy. My children enjoy helping with the icing drizzle and my house always smells amazing when it's in the oven. We now always have it for our holiday movie nights and it tastes wonderful with those orange cranberry scones I bake Christmas morning. These little traditions really make the holidays feel special.
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Common Questions
- → Which cranberries work best in this recipe?
- Grab frozen cranberries for both the filling and cake mixture. Don't try using dried ones. For a shortcut, whole cranberry sauce can replace the homemade filling.
- → What can I use instead of blood orange sparkling water?
- Can't find Aranciata Rossa? No problem! Regular orange fizzy water works fine, or mix some orange juice with plain soda water for a similar taste.
- → How can I tell when my loaf is fully baked?
- Stick a knife into the loaf's side. The cake's done when your knife comes out clean. If you see wet batter on the knife, let it bake a bit longer.
- → What's the best way to keep this loaf fresh?
- Put it in a sealed container at room temp for up to 3 days. Want it to last longer? Pop it in the fridge for a week. Just let it warm up before you eat it.
- → Is this good to make before a party?
- Definitely! Bake the loaf a day early. Just save the icing part until you're ready to serve so it looks and tastes its best.