Cranberry Spice Bread

This is a lovely dense, barely sweet quick bread.  We paired this with a cheese platter and a fresh fruit tray for a quick and easy brunch.  The tart cranberry sauce adds a great bite of fresh tartness that works well against rich and creamy cheeses.

Cranberry Spice Bread
makes 1 loaf

2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
(I used Balinese long pepper…. It was perfect with an undertone of allspice)
1 stick butter, 1/2 cup, soft
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1- 2 Tablespoons candied orange, finely minced
1 1/4 cup thick & tart cranberry sauce, freshly made

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, sift dry ingredients.  Set aside.

Cream butter, eggs, and sugar.  Add vanilla, cranberry sauce, and candied orange peel.  Cream well.  Gently stir in dry ingredients.  Pour into a full-sized loaf pan.  Spread the dense batter out evenly.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 65-70 minutes.