Bread Machine Cranberry Bread

A loaf of cranberry bread, partially sliced, sits on a wooden cutting board with a red cloth underneath. Nearby are a knife, a bowl of cranberries, rich chocolate toffee pieces, a French press, and a cup of coffee.

Bread Machine Cranberry Bread

This Bread Machine Cranberry Bread is everything I want from a homemade loaf. It has a soft, tender crumb, and just enough sweetness to make it feel special without crossing into dessert territory. It’s the kind of bread machine recipe that smells like a cozy bakery while it bakes and slices beautifully once it cools.

Course bread

Cuisine American

Diet Vegetarian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 10

Servings

Calories 241kcal

Author Wendy Polisi

Equipment

Bread Machine

Ingredients

⅔ cup whole milk
½ cup water
1 egg beaten
3 tablespoons melted butter
4 cups bread flour 480 grams
¼ cup light brown sugar sugar
2 teaspoons bread machine yeast
2 teaspoons salt
¾ cup dried cranberries
Optional: ½ cup toasted walnuts

For oven baking:

1 egg beaten
Pinch of salt

Instructions

Place the milk, water, egg, butter, flour, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in the bread machine

Baking in the Bread Machine

Select the appropriate cycle for your bread machine. For my machine, it is white bread. Select start. When the timer goes off, add the cranberries. If you are adding nuts, you should add them now too.
Allow to continue to cook and bake according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When the time is up, use oven mitts to turn the bread out onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Oven Baking

Press the dough cycle button, and start. When the machine beeps for add ins, add the cranberries, and nuts if using. Allow to process according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Turn the dough out and form into a 8 by 4 inch loaf. You can transfer to a bread ban, or to a prepared baking seed with the seem sided dough.
Let rise until in increases by about half, about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Use a sharp knife or razor to slice a slash down the center of the bread. Beat the egg, and add a pinch of salt.
Brush with the egg wash.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the temperature reaches 205°F.
Remove from the pan to a wire rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Storage

Keep in a plastic bag at room temperature in your pantry for up to three days. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. This cranberry bread in the bread machine freezes exceptionally well and toasts straight from frozen.

Nutrition