Cranberry Twist Bread

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Impressive Twisted Bread with a Cranberry Orange Filling

As soon as cranberries make an appearance in the grocery stores, my every thought seems to be cranberry dishes! My original plan for this bread was to make cranberry sweet rolls like my raspberry sweet rolls. When I started rolling up the bread I was suddenly inspired by a bread I made last year – Cheesy Pesto Bread.  

Instead of slicing the rolled dough into smaller slices, I made one long slit across the top of each roll.

Then I twisted the two strands together – making the twist in Cranberry Twist Bread!

When the bread comes out of the oven, it looks like you’ve create a nearly impossible masterpiece! Unfortunately I was the only one at home while I was baking this bread. All the oohs and ahhs came from me – although I’m sure my kids would have been really impressed!

The kids did love the bread, but still no oohs and ahhs over the taste. Nope, my three teenagers just don’t gush over my food anymore – they have become the silent type while walking through the kitchen!

I have to pry deep into their thoughts to know what they are thinking. I have become a mind reader – when they come back for seconds or thirds, I know I have created something they approve!

Now that I’ve made this cranberry bread, I am still thinking about making cranberry sweet rolls! Oh, so many baking ideas, so little baking time!

For now I am enjoying this Cranberry Twisted Bread. Yes, there are still a few slices left!  The kids didn’t eat it all. I toasted up a slice this morning for breakfast. Delicious!!!

Other great recipes using cranberries include Cranberry Scones, Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad and Cranberry Sauce. 

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5 from 5 votes

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Cranberry Twisted Bread

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Rise Time

1 hr 30 mins

Total Time

1 hr 15 mins

 

Filled and twisted cranberry bread.

Course: Baking, Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cranberry bread, Holiday Bread

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 339 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

Bread

• 1 cup whole milk warmed
• 2 1/4 teaspoon yeast
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon orange zest
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups flour

Filling

• 2 cups cranberries
• 1 Tablespoon orange zest
• 1 Tablespoon orange juice fresh squeezed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Bread

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add milk, yeast and sugar. Stir until mixed. Let sit for 5 minutes until mixture is bubbly. 

2. Mix in orange peel, eggs, butter and salt.

3. Add flour 1 cup at a time. Add up to an extra half cup of four if needed.

4. Knead  dough for 10 minutes on low speed.  

5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled.

Filling

1. Add cranberries, orange zest, orange juice and sugar to food processor. Pulse until mixture is coarsely chopped.  

Assembly of Bread

1. Punch down dough and divide into two equal pieces.  Working with one piece at a time, roll out dough to a 10" x 14" rectangle. 

2. Spread half cranberry mixture over rectangle. Roll up jelly roll style from long edge. Pinch seam together. Repeat with second piece of dough.

3. Place dough on a baking sheet on a piece of parchment paper. Pinch one edge of rolls together. Gently twist one roll over the other. Repeat until the two ends come together. Pinch ends together.

4. Cover bread with a clean cloth and let rise for 30 minutes. 

5. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.

6. Remove from baking sheet and place on a cooling rack.  Allow bread to fully cool before slicing. 

Nutrition Facts

Cranberry Twisted Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 339 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Fat 10g15%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Cholesterol 63mg21%

Sodium 288mg13%

Potassium 133mg4%

Carbohydrates 53g18%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 340IU7%

Vitamin C 4.3mg5%

Calcium 41mg4%

Iron 2.7mg15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.