CRANBERRY ORANGE PECAN BREAD

CRANBERRY ORANGE PECAN BREAD

• Quick Glance
• 15 M
• 1 H, 30 M
• Makes 2 loaves

INGREDIENTS

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  3 1/2 cups (17 1/2 ounces) all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
• 
  1 1/2 teaspoon salt
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  3/4 teaspoon baking soda
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  1 1/4 cups (10 fluid ounces) buttermilk (either low-fat or full-fat)
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  Zest and juice from 1 large orange (about 1 1/2 tablespoons finely grated zest plus 1/4 cup juice)
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  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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  2 1/4 cups (15 3/4 ounces) granulated sugar
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  3/4 cup (6 fluid ounces) mild vegetable or olive oil, plus more for the pans
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  3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 
  1 3/4 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen (do not thaw if using frozen cranberries)
• 
  1/2 cup (1 3/4 ounces) pecans, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS

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  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil and flour two 9-by-5-inch loaf pans.
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  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
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  3. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, orange zest and juice, and vanilla.
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  4. Using a stand mixer fit with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and oil on medium-high speed until thoroughly combined and somewhat sandy. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the eggs. Increase the speed to medium and continue to mix for 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low again and add 1/3 of the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 1 minute. Add half the buttermilk mixture and mix briefly to incorporate. Repeat with the remaining buttermilk mixture and the remaining dry ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary and stirring only as long as is required to completely combine the ingredients.
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  5. Coarsely chop the cranberries in your food processor. (See *How To Bake With Cranberries above.) Gently stir the cranberries and pecans into the batter, being careful not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans so that each is slightly more than half full.
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  6. Bake the cranberry orange pecan bread, rotating the pans every 20 minutes or so, until the loaves are golden brown with cracked tops and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. You want to start checking the bread at 45 minutes, although it could take as long as 75 minutes. Let cool in the pans for at least 10 minutes and then turn the loaves onto a wire rack to cool completely.

HOW TO MAKE CRANBERRY ORANGE PECAN MUFFINS OR MINI LOAVES

• If you prefer to make muffins or mini loaves of cranberry orange pecan bread to gift, simply divvy the batter among 12- to 18-cup muffin tins or 6 mini-loaf pans and start checking for doneness after 15 minutes for muffins, 25 minutes for mini loaves.