Christmas Cranberry Mini Loaf Gift Bread Recipe

Handing out sweet bread loaves during the holidays is a tradition kept in many families, especially when it comes to Christmas gift-giving. Although these delicious mini loaves require a little bit of work, they are not difficult to make and can also be great for a novice cook looking for an easy loaf of quick bread. Filled with cranberries and a fragrant touch of cinnamon, this recipe doesn't require any difficult-to-find ingredients and after a good mix, the batter is ready to go into the oven for one hour. The hands-on work is short, and the wait is worth it, as this moist and perfectly sweet bread makes a great coffee break companion, and of course a fantastic holiday gift. Besides, the small size of the mini loaf guarantees that it's going to be eaten in its entirety and not left to dry on a counter.

If the holidays are approaching and fresh cranberries are aplenty in the produce section of the supermarket, give this bread a try. Most people only eat cranberries during the holidays, and only in the form of an overly sweet cranberry sauce that is served with classic dishes like roasted turkey and mashed potatoes. But cranberries are a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition on their own and don't need a load of sugar to taste great. Our recipe highlights their acidic notes and adds enough sugar to make them shine without overpowering your palate. An easy glaze makes a pretty addition to the loaf.

The recipe does contain eggs and dairy, so if you're giving them away, do make a cute little tag that points out the ingredients so the recipient knows what's in it. For a dairy-free version, you could replace the butter with vegan margarine and the milk with a plant-based option like oat milk. There are many baking tricks for replacing eggs, such as using bananas, applesauce, flax or chia seeds instead, so you can always try and make your own allergy-friendly loaf. For our recipe, you need three small loaf tins. Plan ahead, as the loaves need to cool off completely before being wrapped for gifting. Cellophane bags and a little bow make a pretty package.

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