Cranberry Walnut Bread

Prep

Cook

Servings

1 round loaf

Level

Medium

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup Challenge Butter
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 package (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm (100-115˚F) water
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 to 2 ½ cups bread flour, divided
  • ½ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped and toasted
  • ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

  • 1

    Melt butter in microwave in a glass measuring cup. Add milk to hot butter; set aside mixture to cool until temperature is only slightly warm.

  • 2

    Dissolve yeast in warm water (100˚ to 110˚F) in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer. Stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar and let stand 5 to 10 minutes. (If mixture doubles the yeast is active.)

  • 3

    Combine 1 cup of bread flour with remaining 1 Tablespoon sugar and salt. Add to yeast mixture and along with the cooled milk and butter mixture. Blend at low to medium speed with paddle blade until well blended (about 5 minutes.)

  • 4

    Add remaining 1½ cups flour to make a soft elastic dough.

  • 5

    Using a rubber spatula scrape dough away from sides of bowl, forming dough into a rounded disc at the bottom of the mixing bowl.

  • 6

    Cover bowl and let dough rise in a warm place (80˚to 85˚F) until doubled.

  • 7

    Place walnuts in a small sauté pan over medium heat and stir toast until lightly browned and aromatic. Set aside to cool.

  • 8

    Turn dough out on a lightly floured surface. Add cranberries and walnuts and knead until evenly distributed. Shape dough into a 7-inch circle and place on a lightly buttered 12-inch pizza pan or baking sheet.

  • 9

    Make a slash in the top of the loaf. Cover with plastic and allow to rise until doubled in size (about 45 to 50 minutes.)

  • 10

    Preheat oven to 350˚F. Bake until well-browned, about 30 minutes.

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