Cranberry Orange Bread

fresh cranberries

at least once a week, i try to have a lazy morning with my kids. the kind of morning where we eat breakfast in the den, watch a movie, read books, cuddle, and stay in our jammies. no play dates, no visitors. just a morning to rest and do nothing at all.

this morning was our lazy morning this week. it was also a very chilly morning; only 19 degrees! the cold weather makes for a perfect lazy-baking-day! with the sugar overload that comes this time of year, we decided to do a sugar-free nom instead. this bread uses applesauce, orange juice, and honey as sweeteners instead of refined white sugar. it still tastes sweet, but is hopefully a healthier treat. plus, it's a great holiday loaf, with pretty red cranberries.

the citrus and sweet cranberry aroma filled the entire house, which was a perfect compliment to lazy-day couch cuddles in our jams.

cranberry orange bread

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 TBS baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup honey

grated rind from one orange

2/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice (about two large oranges)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/4 cup fresh cranberries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (we used walnuts)

grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan and preheat oven to 350 degrees. grate one orange and set the rind aside. squeeze two large oranges, set juice aside. in a medium sized bowl, mix dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) and set aside. in a large mixing bowl, mix together applesauce, orange juice, rind, oil, and honey. slowly add in dry ingredients. fold in cranberries and nuts. bake for 45-55 minutes.