If you love the smell of freshly baked bread but hate the hassle, try our Apricot Cranberry Bread recipe. This moist, fruit-filled quick bread makes an easy on-the-go breakfast or a thoughtful holiday gift.
Quick breads are breads that rise without yeast. Because there’s no waiting for dough to rise, they can be mixed and baked right away, which is why they’re “quick.” The quick bread tradition in the U.S. goes back centuries. Native Americans used potash to leaven ash cakes, and, later, African American culinary traditions made cornbread central to Southern cooking. In the 1800s, as baking soda and baking powder became widely available, immigrants added quick breads like Irish soda bread, Scottish bannock, and British scones to the American cookbook. Today, biscuits, brownies, and banana bread are among the most popular quick bread treats.
Our Apricot Cranberry Bread proves healthy doesn’t have to be boring. Tart cranberries add a boost of vitamin C, while apricots bring natural sweetness. Whole wheat flour delivers fiber and B vitamins, and swapping in applesauce reduces fat without sacrificing moisture. The result is a bread that feels indulgent but nourishing, whether you’re enjoying a freshly buttered slice with your morning coffee or wrapping it up to give to a friend this holiday.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, optional
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon orange zest
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup Applesauce
- ½ cup dried apricots
- 1 cup cranberries
Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray an 8 1/2-inch x 4 1/2-inch (21.25 cm x 11.25 cm) loaf pan with cooking spray. Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-size mixing bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Blend Wet Ingredients
Place water, honey, extract, zests, egg, applesauce, and water into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 15 seconds.
Step 3: Fold in Fruit
Add the dry mixture to the Vitamix container and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 20 seconds, using the tamper to push ingredients toward the blades. Transfer to a mixing bowl to fold in the apricots and cranberries.
Step 4: Bake and Enjoy
Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.