Cranberry Nut Swirl Bread
Indulge in the delightful flavors of our Cranberry Nut Swirl Bread, a beautifully braided loaf that's not only a feast for the eyes but also a treat for the taste buds. This delightful bread combines the tartness of fresh (or frozen) cranberries with the richness of walnuts, all encased in a soft, buttery dough. Topped with a crunchy streusel, this swirl bread is perfect for holiday gatherings, brunches, or as a special afternoon snack. Whether made with the KitchenAid mixer or a bread machine, this loaf is sure to impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
254
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
flour
3-3 1/2 cups (divided)
sugar
1/3 cup (granulated)
fast rise yeast
1 (1/4 ounce) package
salt
1/2 teaspoon
water
1/2 cup (for dough and 1/4 cup for filling)
milk
1/2 cup
butter
1/3 cup, cubed + 1 tablespoon, cubed + 2 tablespoons, cold and divided
fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup
brown sugar
1/4 cup
walnuts
1/2 cup, chopped
lemon juice
1 tablespoon
flour
2 tablespoons (for topping)
sugar
2 tablespoons (for topping)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, blend together 1 cup of flour, sugar, fast rise yeast, and salt.
2
In a small saucepan, heat the water, milk, and cubed butter over medium heat until the mixture reaches a temperature of 120-130°F (approximately 1-2 minutes in the microwave works well).
3
Pour the heated liquid into the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft, pliable dough.
4
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
5
For the cranberry filling, combine the cranberries, brown sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens, about 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the cubed butter, chopped walnuts, and lemon juice. Allow the filling to cool completely.
6
Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release excess air. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle measuring 20 inches by 10 inches. Evenly spread the cooled cranberry filling over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Carefully roll the dough jelly-roll style from one long end to the other and pinch the seam to seal.
7
Place the rolled dough in a zigzag pattern inside a greased 9-inch x 5-inch x 3-inch loaf pan.
8
To prepare the topping, mix the flour and sugar in a small bowl. Cut in 1 tablespoon of cold butter until the mixture becomes crumbly. Melt the remaining butter and brush it over the surface of the dough in the loaf pan. Sprinkle the crumb topping generously over the brushed dough.
9
Cover the pan and let the bread rise again until doubled, about 40 minutes.
10
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 40-45 minutes, or until it sounds hollow when tapped and the top is golden brown. After baking, allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
35g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cranberry Nut Swirl Bread?
It is a braided loaf made with soft, buttery dough, a tart cranberry and walnut filling, and a crunchy streusel topping.
Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either fresh or frozen cranberries for the swirl filling.
What type of yeast is required?
This recipe requires one 1/4 ounce package of fast rise yeast.
What temperature should the liquid ingredients be when mixed with yeast?
The water, milk, and butter mixture should reach a temperature of 120-130°F before being added to the dry ingredients.
How long does the dough need to knead?
The dough should be kneaded for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic.
How long is the first rise for the dough?
The dough needs to rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
How is the cranberry filling prepared?
Cook cranberries, brown sugar, and water over medium heat for 15 minutes until the cranberries pop and the mixture thickens.
What ingredients are added to the cranberry filling after cooking?
Once removed from heat, stir in cubed butter, chopped walnuts, and lemon juice.
How large should I roll the dough before adding the filling?
Roll the dough into a rectangle measuring 20 inches by 10 inches.
How do I roll the dough with the filling inside?
Roll the dough jelly-roll style from one long end to the other and pinch the seam to seal.
What size loaf pan is needed for this recipe?
You will need a greased 9-inch x 5-inch x 3-inch loaf pan.
How should the dough roll be placed in the pan?
Place the rolled dough into the loaf pan in a zigzag pattern.
How do I make the crumb topping?
Mix 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons of sugar, then cut in 1 tablespoon of cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
What is brushed on the dough before the topping is added?
Melted butter is brushed over the surface of the dough before sprinkling the topping.
How long is the second rise?
The bread should rise in the pan for about 40 minutes before baking.
At what temperature should the bread be baked?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the Cranberry Nut Swirl Bread take to bake?
The loaf should bake for 40-45 minutes.
How can I tell if the bread is done baking?
The bread is done when the top is golden brown and it sounds hollow when tapped.
How long should the bread cool after baking?
Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Can I make this bread in a bread machine?
Yes, this recipe can be adapted for a bread machine or made using a KitchenAid mixer.
What are the calories per serving?
There are approximately 254 calories per serving.
How much fat is in one serving of this bread?
Each serving contains 11 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the protein content per serving?
The bread contains 3 grams of protein per serving.
What is the role of lemon juice in the recipe?
Lemon juice is added to the cranberry filling to provide a bright, acidic balance to the sweetness.
Is this bread suitable for holiday brunches?
Yes, its festive appearance and flavors make it ideal for holiday gatherings and brunches.
How much total flour is used in the dough?
The dough uses between 3 to 3 1/2 cups of flour in total.
Do I need to leave a border when spreading the filling?
Yes, leave a 1/2-inch border around the edges of the dough rectangle to ensure a clean seal.
What kind of sugar is used for the cranberry filling?
The cranberry filling specifically uses 1/4 cup of brown sugar.
How much butter is needed for the dough versus the topping?
The dough uses 1/3 cup cubed butter, while the topping and finishing use about 3 additional tablespoons divided.