This quick bread features dried cranberries apricots and nuts, nestled in an orange- and cinnamon-scented batter, and baked to a golden brown. If you’re planning on serving a turkey during the holidays, this bread is a great accompaniment.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup (144 g) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon orange oil OR 2 teaspoons grated orange peel OR 2 teaspoons orange extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups (218 g) all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup (151 g) dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup (76g) dried apricots, diced, or dried slivered apricots
• 1/2 cup (60 g) pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preparation

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, orange oil or peel, the salt, baking powder and spices until well blended.
2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, beating until fluffy after each addition.
3. Stir in the flour, then add the milk 1/4 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition.
4. Gently mix in the cranberries, apricots and nuts.
5. Spoon the batter into a lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan.
6. Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Remove the bread from the oven, and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing it from the pan to cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield: 1 loaf, about 16 servings