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Cranberry Pistachio Bread

Cranberry pistachio bread is a tender, buttery loaf studded with dried cranberries and crunchy pistachios. Orange zest adds a bright citrus note, and the loaf bakes until golden with a clean toothpick test.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Cooling 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 342
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 0.75 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs large, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp orange zest finely grated
  • 0.5 cup milk room temperature
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 0.75 cup pistachios shelled, unsalted, coarsely chopped

Equipment

  • 1 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • 1 electric mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
  3. Line the bottom and long sides of the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
  4. Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl.
  5. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Beat in the eggs one at a time.
  7. Mix in the vanilla and orange zest.
  8. On low speed, add the flour mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk in two additions and beginning and ending with the flour; mix just until combined.
  9. Fold in the cranberries and pistachios.
  10. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
  11. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until the loaf is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  12. Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes.
  13. Use the parchment to lift the bread onto a wire rack.
  14. Cool completely.

Notes

For a tender loaf, mix the batter just until combined after adding the flour. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze slices for up to 3 months. For a dairy-free variation, use dairy-free butter and milk.