A Taste of Autumn--Pumpkin Cranberry Quick Bread

Autumn just wouldn’t be autumn without pumpkin and cranberries on the menu at my house. The amazing aroma that fills the air when pumpkin and spices are baked up together is almost reason enough to turn to this fall fruit. (Yes, pumpkins are technically fruits.) And the bright color and zest of fresh cranberries add a memorable, enticing touch to both sweet and savory dishes.


Another reason I enjoy using pumpkin and cranberries is that they seem to symbolize our culinary past. I like the sense that I’m part of a long line of American cooks who has turned these fruits of the season into something special. It’s fun to imagine my foremothers (our forefathers rarely cooked) cleverly capitalizing on winter squash and cranberries to add variety and nutrition to the household diet, especially in the coldest months when larders grew bare.



 I also like to picture the Pilgrims coming together at a huge table with the neighboring Native Americans to share a meal reminiscent of our modern Thanksgiving dinner. But it turns out such romantic notions are way off base! The Pilgrim men and about ninety Wampanoag tribesmen probably stood around a fire where they ate venison and other wild game. No nice tables, linens, or fancy eating utensils--those assembled were just thankful to have anything to eat at all. Sad to say, the few remaining Pilgrim women who hadn't already died from the harsh conditions didn't join in the celebrations either--they were just scurrying around serving the menfolk. For more on the real story, click here.

If you aren't sold on a pumpkin bread with cranberries, I suggest you check out the recipe posted by my blogger friend Dana, here. For another fine autumn sweet treat, find my cranberry-white chocolate cookies here or pumpkin cookie recipe here.

Pumpkin-Cranberry Quick Bread

This is a hearty, moist, well-flavored quick bread that’s also very easy to make. Not too sweet nor overly rich, it makes a wholesome snack, or can accompany coffee or tea or almost any autumn meal. Note that the recipe yields two substantial loaves, which is a good thing since the first usually disappears right away!

Another option is to make one regular loaf and four mini-loaves that are perfect for using as holiday hostess gifts, as shown in the pic below. (Or, you could keep some mini-loaves and give away the full-sized one!) The mini-pans were 5- by 3-inches; the loaves were done about 20 minutes sooner than the full size loaf. Directions and pics of packaging the mini-loaves for gift giving are here.

 This  bread stays moist for several days and freezes beautifully if you wish to make it ahead or need to keep it longer.

Tip: If you have fresh gingerroot on hand it will add a nice kick and extra aroma, but the bread is delicious without it.

4 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 15-ounce can pumpkin (not seasoned pumpkin pie filling)
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups nonfat or low-fat plain (unsweetened) yogurt
2 large eggs
2/3 cup canola oil, corn oil or other flavorless vegetable oil
2 tablespoons peeled minced fresh gingerroot, optional
1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup fresh or frozen (thawed) cranberries, chopped moderately fine
2 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar combined with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for garnish

Place a rack in the middle third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Generously coat 2 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch (or slightly larger) loaf pans with nonstick spray.

In a very large bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, cinnamon, allspice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In medium bowl using a fork, beat together the pumpkin,sugar, yogurt, eggs, oil, and dried cranberries until very well blended. Gently stir the yogurt mixture and fresh cranberries into the flour mixture just until thoroughly incorporated but not over-mixed; excess mixing can cause toughening. Immediately turn out the batter into the pans, dividing equally and spreading evenly to the edges. Sprinkle the sugar-cinnamon mixture over the loaves, dividing equally.

Bake on the middle oven rack for 50 to 65 minutes or until well browned on top and a toothpick inserted deep in a center comes out clean. It’s normal for the tops to crack. If the tops begin to brown too rapidly, lower the heat to 350 degrees F. and cover them with foil the last few minutes of baking.
Let the pans stand on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a table knife around the pans and under the loaf edge to loosen the loaves and place on wire racks. Cool thoroughly. Keep airtight at room temperature for up to 2 days; or freeze packed airtight in heavy plastic bags for up to 1 month.

Makes 2 medium-sized loaves, 12 to 14 slices each (or  1 medium loaf and 4 mini-loaves).