Cranberry Swirl Bread

The holiday baking and candy making season has officially begun!  Since my allergies were holding me hostage this weekend, I took the opportunity to stay inside and bake some bread.

Start with 2 cups of flour in a mixing bowl.  Add one packet of yeast to it.

Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Mix it together and set it aside.

Measure 3/4 cup of milk (of course I used goat milk) and 2 tablespoons of margarine or butter.  Microwave the milk and margarine until it is just melted.  Let it cool to 100 – 104 degrees.  You want to make sure it is warm enough to activate the yeast but not so warm that it kills the yeast.

When it’s cooled down, add it to the yeast and flour mixtures.  Stir the dough a bit and add two eggs.  The green egg is courtesy of my sister’s chickens!

Mix everything thoroughly.  Start adding more flour.

When it’s hard to mix in the bowl, pour the dough onto a floured surface and continue mixing in flour by kneading.  It will take 2 to 2 1/2 cups more flour.

When it is no longer sticky, knead in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries.  You could add up to an extra 1/2 cup if you like more fruit.

It will take a bit of work to get them mixed throughout the dough, and you might have to add a bit more flour if it gets sticky again.

Once it’s all mixed, shape it into a ball and place it in an oiled bowl.  Turn the dough to oil the entire surface.

Cover the bowl with a cloth and let the dough rise until about double.  It will take about an hour and a half.

While it’s rising, you can mix the filling.  Use 1/4 cup of light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts.  Mix it together and set it aside.

When the dough is done rising, put it back on the floured surface and punch it down.

Next you will roll or press the dough into a rectangle.  It can be 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Then spread it with margarine.  Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the dough.

Then roll it up.

Place it in a greased bread pan.  Cover it and let it raise for about forty-five minutes.

Bake it in a 350* oven.  It will be a nice dark brown when it’s ready.  It will back forty-five minutes or a bit longer.

Let it cool for a few minutes, and then remove it from the pan.

This one is perfect for family get togethers.

Linking to Homestead Barn Hop.