On a Sunday afternoon I decided I needed to bake something.  Not knowing what, I scoured my kitchen.  All I knew was I wanted something breakfasty and something I could make up on the spot. I found pears, apples, oranges and cranberries and that was enough for me.

 

This bread is the perfect holiday bread.  It’s sweet and studded with fruit.  The cranberries are like sneaky little gems of tartness tucked in between sweet bits of apple and pear.  The orange makes a cameo to brighten everyone else up with its zest and juice.  There’s so much fruit in this bread when you mix it all in it’s like a chunky fruit mix drenched with a bit of batter.Don’t make the mistake I did and pour allllll of the batter into 1 loaf pan.  You know it won’t fit, why are you trying to make it?  Don’t just keep telling yourself it will be big and delicious.  Two pans.  Trust me.

 

I added some oats for texture and depth.  Other grains would be great in here too. Throw some flax in; whatever you have on hand, it’ll be good, I promise.This bread would make a stunning addition to all of your family parties this season or a welcome sidekick at your breakfast table.  Wrapped well, it will store quite nicely in the freezer and be good as fresh baked when warmed up in the oven for a bit.

 

Get with this ASAP.  You won’t be sorry.Cranberry Apple Pear Bread

 

Ingredients

 

1 stick of butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

zest and juice of 1 orange

2 eggs

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup cranberries

1 medium apple, like Gala, cut to size of cranberries

1 medium pear, any variety, cut to size of cranberries

 

For the topping:

 

1/4 cup oats

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 stick butter, chilled and cubed

 

Directions

 

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar.  Add orange zest and juice.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.

 

2.  In another bowl mix flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt.  In a small bowl mix oats, maple syrup and milk.  Alternating flour mixture and milk, add to butter and eggs, beginning and ending with flour, in 3 additions.  Mix until well combined.  Fold in cranberries, apple and pear.  Pour into 2 loaf pans.  Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.