Bakery-quality yeast bread got a thousand times better with the addition of cranberries and walnuts. This Cranberry Walnut Bread recipe has a beautiful texture and delicious flavor.
This cranberry walnut loaf is guaranteed to be an instant hit at breakfast or dinner. Just look at how gorgeous it is! We love it toasted with a big slather of butter.
Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Walnut Loaf
Simple Yeast Bread. Even though this bread does have a long rise time due to the added weight of cranberries and walnuts, it is still a very simple no-knead yeast bread. I love this long ferment time because I can mix it on one day and bake it the next.
Simple Ingredients. You only need seven ingredients to make this bread, and one of those is water.
Equipment Needed To Make No-knead Cranberry Walnut Bread
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- Loaf Pan. In the Fall and Winter, when baking bread warms up the house and brings comfort to all, I like to have disposable loaf pans on hand so that I can take a loaf to a friend or neighbor in need of cheer. Mini loaf pans are also perfect for gift giving of this festive bread.
- Mixing Bowls. I use this set of bowls for mixing, serving, storing, and transporting food. The pretty lids guarantee no spilling too!
- Parchment Paper. To keep things from sticking and make clean-up a breeze.
Ingredients For Your Cranberry Walnut Bread
- All-Purpose Flour. Have a little extra ready to rub on your hands and dust on surfaces.
- Instant Yeast. Make sure you get the right packet.
- Salt. Fine sea salt is preferred.
- Dried Cranberries. Also called Craisins.
- Chopped Walnuts.
- Water.
- Honey. You may use a vegan honey substitute.
Please note, that the printable recipe card has the full list of ingredients, quantities, complete instructions, and nutritional information. The following is a quick overview of the recipe.
How To Make Cranberry Walnut Bread
Step 1: Mix the Dry ingredients.
Flour, yeast, and salt get stirred together with a wooden spoon. This is important because certain metal spoons can be reactive to yeast.
Step 2: Add the fruit and nuts.
Toss it all together to ensure the cranberries and walnuts are evenly distributed and coated.
Step 3: Add liquids.
Stir in the honey and the water.
Step 4: Cover the Bread and let it rise.
You can use plastic wrap or a damp tea towel for 12 to 18 hours
Why use a long rise time for bread?
A long rise time for this cranberry walnut bread loaf is all about developing flavor. The dough will produce sugars and alcohol that add a delicious yeasty flavor that complements the dried cranberries.
Step 5: Shape the dough.
Use parchment paper and flour to avoid sticking to the dough.
Step 6: The second rise.
This takes about 45 minutes.
Step 7: Bake your bread.
Make sure your oven is preheated.
Step 8: Cool.
Cut after the bread is completely cooled.
Does this bread have to be baked in a loaf pan?
No, this is a sturdy bread and can be baked freestanding without a loaf pan. You can shape it into a loaf or round, also called a boule. Place the shaped bread on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet to bake.
How to Eat Cranberry Walnut Bread
- Makes amazing toast with a slather of butter and or honey for breakfast.
- Delicious sliced on a Charcuterie board.
- The perfect bread to serve on Thanksgiving.
- Make French Toast or French Toast Muffins with the leftovers.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Exchange the walnuts for another nut, such as pistachios or pecans, or eliminate them altogether.
- Exchange craisins for raisins or substitute another dried fruit such as apricots or dates.
How To Reheat & Store Cranberry Walnut Bread
Best Way To Store Cranberry Walnut Loaf Leftover
Keep your completely cooled leftover bread in a sealed plastic bag for three or four days. Room temperature is fine.
How Long Will This Walnut Cranberry Bread Recipe Last In the Fridge?
Three or four days if sealed in an airtight container, but chilling the bread may cause moisture condensation and a somewhat slimy exterior crust.
Can I Freeze the Cranberry walnut bread recipe with yeast?
Yes. Freeze bread in airtight containers or freezer-quality baggies for up to three months. You can also freeze the shaped dough for up to three months and bake from frozen by adding length to the baking time.
How To Reheat Cranberry Walnut Loaf
Add a pat of butter if desired, then place a single slice in the microwave for ten seconds. Repeat in five-second increments as necessary.
Cranberry Walnut Loaf FAQs
No, it’s not. Quick bread doesn’t use yeast. It relies on baking soda, baking powder, or eggs as leavening. Quick breads have a much fluffier interior compared to this denser yeast bread.
Yes! Dried cranberries bake up sweet and delicious. They can be added right to the dough or plumped up ahead of time by letting them soak in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Soaking makes them plump and juicy. Another option is to put them in a microwave-safe bowl, cover them with liquid, and microwave them for 30 to 60 seconds. Let them sit for 5 minutes.
Yes, you can. I recommend roughly chopping them and then measuring since there is a difference in measurement.
Yes, they are the same. Craisins is a registered trade name by Ocean Spray and can’t be used by other manufacturers.
Tips to Make the Perfect Dried Cranberry Walnut Bread
The dough will be rough and a bit sticky before the first rise, but that’s normal.
If your oven has a “proof” setting, you can use that as a safe place to let your bread rise.
Rub flour on your hands or dip your fingers in water before shaping the dough so that you don’t stick.
Other Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe Turned Out! Leave a comment and some ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars if you loved it too!
Cranberry Walnut Bread with Yeast
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour – plus more for dusting
- ½ tsp instant yeast
- 2 tsp salt – fine sea salt is preferred
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1½ cups water – room temperture
- 2 tbsp honey – plus more for brushing on after baking, or other vegan honey substitute
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add flour, yeast, and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir to make sure everything is combined.
- Add the cranberries and walnuts to the flour mixture and toss well to coat, and to make sure they're distributed evenly throughout.
- Add the honey to the water and stir with a fork to combine. Pour the water into the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon. The dough will be rough and a bit sticky, but that's normal.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm, draft-free place and let it rise for 12-18 hours.
- Place a piece of parchment paper on the counter and dust it with flour so the dough doesn't stick to the paper. Rub flour on your hands and scrape the dough away from the sides of the bowl, gathering it in your hands as best you can and form it into an oval-shaped loaf on the parchment paper.
- Once you have the dough shaped, it needs to undergo a second rise for 45 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the top of the loaf and loosely cover it with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming over the dough.
- Preheat your oven to 425 °F and grease an 8×4 loaf pan.
- Remove the plastic wrap from the dough and place it into the greased loaf pan. Bake the loaf for 25 minutes, until it's golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove the loaf from the pan when it's cool enough to handle. Finish cooling completely on a cooling rack before cutting.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
As much as we love our Cranberry Walnut Yeast Bread, here are a few more recipes we love.
Welcome to the fourth annual #FallFlavors! We have 21 bloggers sharing over SIXTY recipes using fall ingredients like squash, apples, maple, pecans, and many more. Follow #FallFlavors to see all the delicious recipes on social media.
Friday #FallFlavors Recipes
Appetizers and Beverages
- Delicious Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball from Family Around The Table
- Pumpkin Spice White Russian from Our Crafty Cocktails
- Vegan Sweet Potato Cutlets from Magical Ingredients
Breads
- Cinnamon Chip Apple Muffins from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cranberry Walnut Bread from Hostess At Heart
- Pumpkin Banana Muffins from Cheese Curd In Paradise
Sauces
- Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette from Art of Natural Living
Mains Dishes
- Autumn Chicken Cobb Salad from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Ham, Apple and Cheddar Quesadillas from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
- Slow Cooker German Pork Roast from Palatable Pastime
Desserts
- Air Fryer Candied Pecans from Devour Dinner
- Apple Cinnamon Chip Cookies from Sweet Beginnings
- Candy Corn Cookies from Best Cookie Recipes
- Ginger Apple Pear Crisp from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies with Candied Sage from The Spiffy Cookie
- Maple Pecan Biscotti from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Pumpkin Caramel Trifle Mason Jar Dessert from Our Crafty Mom
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars from Blogghetti
- Pumpkin Dump Cake from An Affair from the Heart
- Sweet Potato Cinnamon Roll Cake from Jen Around the World
Follow the Favorite Fall Recipes Facebook group and follow the Favorite Fall Flavors Pinterest board for more fall inspiration!
Ann
Saturday 17th of September 2022
This looks so lovely! I'll take mine with melted brie, please!
Julie Menghini
Sunday 25th of September 2022
Oh I love that combo, Ann! Thank you.
Rebecca
Saturday 17th of September 2022
You can't go wrong with this recipe. It's spot on good.
Julie Menghini
Sunday 25th of September 2022
Thank you!
Grace
Saturday 17th of September 2022
I love to buy these types of breads at bakeries. Now I can make it myself. Yum!
Julie Menghini
Sunday 25th of September 2022
I'm with you, Grace! Homemade bread is the best.
Amy
Friday 16th of September 2022
Wow this bread was good! Love the sweet bursts of cranberry and texture from the walnuts! I'm going to make it again next week!
Julie Menghini
Thursday 29th of September 2022
Thank you, Amy!
Radha
Friday 16th of September 2022
This is million times better than what we may get outside. I love the proportion of walnuts and cranberries. Every bite of this bread is YUM!
Julie Menghini
Sunday 25th of September 2022
Thank you, Radha!